What to Do If You Catch Yourself Falling Asleep While DrivingĪccording to a CDC study, one in 25 adult drivers admitted to having fallen asleep while driving at least once in the past 30 days. Studies show that chewing gum, especially mint gum, can actually stimulate the nervous system, keeping you alert and even preventing you from yawning. Instead, choose high energy foods like trail mix blends with lots of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Fast food and salty packaged snack food like most people take on road trips can make you feel drowsy after eating or cause a sugar crash. Dehydration is a frequent cause of low energy and “brain fog,” so staying hydrated could help keep you awake and alert on drives after dark. If the caffeine wears off (usually within 5 hours) before your trip is over, you may experience a caffeine crash and end up even more tired than before. You should also take into consideration how long you will be behind the wheel. Even just a 20-minute workout (as simple as a walk) can increase your heart rate and blood flow to your brain, helping keep you awake and alert. If possible, get some exercise before getting behind the wheel.If you are planning to go out to a bar with friends and know you won’t be home until after dark, make alternate plans to get home. Drinking and driving is already a bad plan, but alcohol is also a sedative, and makes you sleepy after drinking. Getting less than six hours of sleep dramatically increases your risk of falling asleep while driving. If you didn’t get a full night’s sleep, try to get in a 20-minute nap before leaving. Teenagers need eight to 10 hours a night. Plan to get at least seven to nine hours. Most methods of avoiding drowsiness when driving at night need some preparation beforehand, but there’s a few you can take if drowsiness catches you unaware. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Most people have felt drowsy behind the wheel at some point while driving after dark, and many have resorted to opening the windows or slapping or pinching themselves to try to shock themselves back awake. ![]()
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