Originally posted by: Freejack2
I'm assuming you are driving the speed limit or at a speed where the police don't bother you.
First above everything see a doctor about this, they'll probably help more than us.
If he/she can't help...
It sounds like you are just keeping enough attention on the road to keep from crashing but otherwise your mind is idle and when it's idle it wants to sleep.
You need to keep your mind occupied in order to stay awake. Books on tape are ok if they keep your interest. Talking on the cell phone, anything that keeps you alert.
One other way is to drive actively. This means scanning around you and keeping an eye out for what is going on around you traffic wise. It usually works best when you are speeding because you are keeping an eye out for the cops. Of course there is always the risk even with a radar detector of getting caught and getting a ticket.
I have the same problem - lately I've just been sleep-deprived, but I know on previous road trips anytime my mind is idle, I start slipping into "sleep mode". Here's what I've found works for me:
1. Talk radio. For me, music just doesn't cut it - I don't have to think about music. But when I listen to talk radio, I actually think about what's being said (and since it's usually christian stations I pick up, I'm usually working on my rebuttals & disagreements with what they are saying
). That's my first recommendation - figure out what keeps your mind active, and do that.
2. Day-dream/role-play. This isn't quite as good as #1, but its also worked for me. What I mean is, imagine yourself in some kind of a situation, and role-play it out. IE Pretend you are at a bar hitting on girls, or on a desert island and fighting for survival, or there's always sexual fantasies to think about
The danger is you don't want to get so absorbed in your role-playing you aren't paying attention to driving.
3. Frequent stops. I used to think getting there non-stop, as quick as possible was the only way to go. Now, I take stops at gas stations & rest areas every few hours if I need it. Get out, stretch, do some jumping jacks/jogging - something to get the blood pumping & muscles moving. I've found this helps a bit, but if the drowsiness comes from an idle mind, then you won't be on the road again 15 minutes before you start feeling drowsy again.
4. And of course, there's always the high-caffeine drinks. I wouldn't rely on these alone, because I know for me, they just aren't enough. But they can help augment the above techniques.
And like Viper said - best is to make sure you are getting plenty of good quality sleep. That way you aren't fighting your body's natural desire to sleep... because, in that situation, you will lose, eventually..
<-- Overslept this morning
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