Warning signs of driver fatigue includes frequent yawning, difficulty maintaining conversation, disorientation or drifting on the center of the road or the shoulders. If you are a driver you frequently gets tired when driving there are a few things you can do.

1)      If you can schedule your trip during day time hours then do so. Driving at night has a dulling affect to the scentless and many people have trouble staying alert and focused.

2)      Take breaks as often as you need them. If you feel drowsy, pull over and take a cat-nap. Taking breaks as short as 10 minutes can refresh you enough to get to your destination safely.

3)     Before driving, dDo not take any medications that can make you drowsy. Look for any ingredient with the phrase “CNS depressant.” Do not take antihistamines either as they are known to cause drowsiness. To be sure, read the instructions which come with your medication or consult your pharmacist.

4)      If not contraindicated, drink caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and soda. Energy drinks are good energy boosters as well but be careful as some cause elevated blood pressure and have other negative side effects.

5)      If your passengers can drive then why not share the driving with them? Let someone else drive so that you can rest in the passenger seat.

6)      Never drive when you are exhausted and certainly not if you’ve been drinking, even the smallest amount. Even limited amounts of alcohol can make you tired especially if you were already getting drowsy before you had anything to drink.

Driver fatigue can be just as dangerous as drunk driving so you should take every precaution you can to not drive while tired. Falling asleep at the wheel can happen literally at the blink of an eye. Don’t think that you will be able to stay awake driving when you are tired. Driving statistics couldn’t be any clearer. Falling asleep while driving is one of the leading causes of accidents that kill and injury thousands every year.

How to stay awake while driving or elsewhere — get the Stay Awake Device.

The use of caffeine is a standard for trying to wake yourself up. This works in some situations, but you need to have other options as well. What if you are out on the road late at night and all the service stations you are passing are closed, so you can’t buy a soda? Or, you may encounter a professor who doesn’t allow people to bring drinks into class. If you can figure out how to stay awake without caffeine, you’ll be much more prepared for sleepy situations.

How to Keep Yourself Awake Under Different Circumstances

In class, you might try doodling to help stay awake. This is especially helpful if your main reason for drifting away is boredom; it has been proving that for some people, doodling can help retain a high level of attention a lot easier. If you are just plain tired, however, it may be a bit more difficult to figure out how to stay awake in class.

At work, consider working while standing up or moving around if possible. If your boss allows, perhaps play some upbeat music quietly in your working area to keep you motivated and your mind interested. Also, try talking to your coworkers and ask for ideas on how to stay awake at work. Be sure, as well, to stay hydrated, even if it’s just with water. Staying hydrated can actually be a lot more helpful than you realize!

4 Ways to Keep Yourself Awake

1. Choose cold over warm temperature. So make sure to crank up the AC to keep the heat away. Cold temperature creates discomfort, thus maintaining alertness. Go with cold water too. Drinking a glass of ice cold water literally refreshes your mind and body. Splash cold water on your face when you feel your eyes are slowly giving in.

2. Don’t starve yourself but don’t overeat as well. When your mind and body are under a great deal of stress, they use up a lot of energy. The best way to replace this lost energy is to eat. Fruits are a great source of glucose so make sure you have them with you. Candies, gums, nuts and seeds are also great snacks because they keep your fingers, tongue and mouth active and busy.

3. Listen to lively music. Sometimes, it is even important to play songs you know so you can sing along. If listening to music is not a good option (reviewing for an exam), then shift to your sense of smell. They say that peppermint increases one’s alertness and helps reduce stress too.

4. Move around as much as you can. Talk to your co-workers and have a good laugh once in a while. Or when taking breaks, watch a funny video or read funny blogs or articles.

Keeping Yourself Awake While Driving

If you are driving and you realize you are getting sleepy, you definitely want to do everything in your power to stay awake. This may be a recurring problem for you if you drive home each morning after working the night shift or if your job involves driving on the road late a night as is the case with taxi drivers and truck drivers. For people in these types of predicaments on a daily basis, driver fatigue is a very real issue and it is mandatory to find a way to stay awake on the road in order to protect your own life and those of others. A driver alert device will ensure that you don’t fall asleep since it rings loudly in your ear if you start to nod off. The price for such a device is nominal when compared to making an auto accident settlement with another driver whose car you hit.

So if you have been trying to figure out ways to keep yourself awake when you are feeling drowsy, try some of the suggestions above and you are bound to find one that works for you.

How to stay awake while driving or elsewhere — get the Stay Awake Device.