Plan for breaks when traveling by car
Riding at night is much more comfortable (little traffic, no traffic lights), but on the other hand requires more concentration. The body, especially the sense organs, gets tired much faster. What's more, after dark, our biological clock "silences" the senses, preparing the body for sleep.
Riding at night is much more comfortable (little traffic, no traffic lights), but on the other hand requires more concentration. The body, especially the sense organs, gets tired much faster. What's more, after dark, our biological clock "silences" the senses, preparing the body for sleep.
If we decide to travel at night, we should freshen up - it is best to avoid strenuous activities during the day and decide to take a nap in the late afternoon. Remember to avoid large meals immediately before and during driving, as well as during breaks. After eating a large amount of food, we fall into sleepiness, most of the blood from the circulatory system then goes to the digestive system, which focuses on digesting a large amount of food, thereby weakening the perception and ability of the brain.
READ ALSO
Don't Forget Light Bulbs When You Go on Vacation
Prepare your car for the trip
Remember that long trips, especially on motorways, tire the driver. Driving becomes monotonous and "lulls" the senses, which later make decisions in the event of an emergency. If we are traveling alone, it is worth calling friends - of course, on the speakerphone. When we travel in company, let's try to keep the conversation going.
When traveling on a hot day, we must remember to replenish fluids, as well as electrolytes and quickly absorbed sugars, which are the "fuel" for our brain. Low sugar levels cause drowsiness, disruption of the nervous system (deterioration of nerve conduction, which means an increase in reaction time). Isotonic drinks such as Izostar, Powerade, and Gatorade are highly recommended. Energy drinks also help, but don't overdo them. Coffee is also a good solution when you feel sleepy, however remember that it is a dehydrating drink.
Sunglasses protect our eyes from ultraviolet rays and too bright light. They also minimize the possibility of instant severe glare when the sun's rays reflect off the windows of passing cars. We must remember to take breaks. Even a short stop will significantly restore our body. There is an unwritten rule that says: 20 minutes of rest every two hours of driving.
When we drive a car, we sit in the same position all the time, the peripheral circulation in our body is disturbed. We will leave the car during the break. Then it is recommended to exercise to stimulate our system 
appeal. This will increase the nourishment of the brain and therefore our senses. The trip should be planned at home - when, where and how much we rest. Let's choose one longer pause in combination with restorative sleep - even 20-30 minutes of sleep gives us great benefits. We can also invest in additional equipment for our car, which will have a positive impact on the quality of our trip. The air conditioning is helpful and the extra lighting improves vision at night.
Buying cruise control is worth it. Helpful especially on long stretches of motorways, the device keeps the car at a constant speed, after which we can move our feet, ankles and knees. We will drain some of the stagnant blood from the lower extremities. This is especially helpful for people who are prone to blood clots.
The consultation was conducted by doctor Wojciech Ignasiak.
