What can I do too help me stay awake when driving home?

Question

I'M FAIRLY HEALTHY BUT I'M TOO TIRED TO DRIVE 20 MILES HOME AFTER WORK. WHAT CAN I DO OR TAKE SUCH AS VITAMINES OR FOOD THAT WILL HELP ME STAY ALERT AND OR AWAKE?

Answer 1

Safest thing: Sleep more. Turn in earlier. Prioritize what you do and drop what gives the least joy/meaning/benefits. Blow off a few obligations and energy-sucking "friends". All so you can sleep a bit more and be more capable at work, have more energy and be safer on the road.

Temporarily: caffiene does work, but for some people (like me) caffiene after lunch really screws up my sleep that night.

The power nap someone mentioned works for many. Pull over, snooze for 10-15 minutes. I find I'm much more alert for 1-2 hours afterwards.

My experience has been that when I'm playing loud music or blasting cold air or staying awake because I almost hit something - those things only delay the several second lapses for another minute or two. I'm so tired at that point, pulling off the road is the only reasonible thing to do.

Sleep apnea or some other sleep disorder may be preventing you from getting restful, restorative sleep if your are laying in bed for 7-8 hours a night, nominally asleep. A sleep medicine lab can assess that in an evening and there are positive-pressure breathing machines that can really help some people get better sleep.

Answer 2

Maybe tack a different way home every now and then. the reason is that ur body is tired when u drive is becuse it knows that it is almost home so u get tired, if u confuse ur body then it will wake up. that is what i do now and then. also turn on ur fav raido station or cd player what ever u listen too. then turn it up and sing to it. i work during the night so i do what ever i have to do to stay awake to get home in the morning. that is a couple of them that i do the most. hope u find something that works for ya!!

Answer 3

Sleep more at night before you even get there.

Also, normal vitamins, exercise, drinking water, and eating right will help. I know, no fun!

I drive 30 miles. SUCKS, huh? I am thinking of looking for something closer. With all the traffic, takes me 50 min to get home. Adds on to a much longer day.

Answer 4

A plastic bag full of ice.

When you know you might get drowsy during a car trip but you still have to drive, take along a zip lock bag of ice. If you start to get drowsy, run the ice along the back of your neck and your temples. If you still aren't awake, roll down the window so that the air hits your wet skin.

Answer 5

I usually blast heavy metal through the radio. It gets funny looks, but hey, I'm not sleeping through that!
I've also used strong tea, open windows (the wind keeps me more alert), singing along to the heavy metal....
If you're unusually low on energy, vitamins may help, like B12. I'm not a fan if caffeine pills, because when they wear off, you can crash. Food-sources of caffeine are a little gentler on the let-down.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Only 20? Try 45.

Don't leave work immediately, relax for ten minutes with a cup of coffee and a game of Windows solitaire.

Answer 7

Well, if you're driving when it's cold outside, you could leave your window open. The cold will keep you awake. Other than that, most vitamins and energy pills/medicine aren't FDA regulated, so they should be used with caution.

Answer 8

Take a power nap. Just 5-10min will help

Answer 9

Turn up the radio nice and loud.

Answer 10

Sleep more. that way you will not be tierd
There is this thing so when your head bobs down it does a loud BEEP