View Feedback | Send this Article | Published 3/07/03

Graphic By: Jonelle Thackston

One possible solution is to make your friends drive a leg of the trip while you catch up on some rest. This is the best solution, though not always a feasible one, especially if you have no friends跬n your car, that is.

When you have no friends available to drive for you, a convenience store is a must. The highway convenience store can sometimes be a haven for "zombie" drivers. There are a couple of options you have here. Sometimes, just getting some food and drink in your body will wake you up enough to continue on your journey. This process of walking around and eating gets the blood running through your system, therefore waking you up. Unfortunately, this hardly lasts as long as you寮 like.

Another method of revitalizing yourself for the road is to find something with caffeine in it. I know when I drive I like to use Mountain Dew; or if I can find it, Jolt will always give me just the boost I need to keep going. Then again, you can also go the route of the caffeine pill. Just remember to follow the directions on the bottle to make sure that you廝e not misusing it in any way. Another classic caffeine boost that I know most people use is just plain coffee.

I影e learned one trick that works quite well when taking caffeine pills or even a strong cup of coffee for that matter: as soon as you影e downed your supply of caffeine, immediately take a 20-minute catnap. This will give your body enough time to get a bit of rest right before the caffeine kicks in. After that, be prepared to be awake for a while (which was the desired affect to begin with).

One thing to keep in mind when taking caffeine is the dehydration factor. Taking large amounts of caffeine will, in fact, dehydrate you, making your body feel less than happy. Make sure to drink plenty of decaffeinated fluids to keep your body as content as possible while driving. Balancing large amounts of fluids with your need to use a restroom can sometimes be an art form, especially if you like to drive without interruptions like I do.

If there is no civilization in sight when you pull over and you don廠 feel like napping on the side of the road just yet, there is another temporary fix to help you hold out a little longer. I find that doing jumping jacks and push-ups on the side of the road always help me. This gets your heart rate up to a respectable level, naturally making you more alert. Remember though, that this is only temporary, and you really need to get some sleep eventually.

Finally, listen to your body. If you feel like you may be too tired to continue driving, then you are, and the first time you doze off behind the wheel may be your last.