How to Stay Alert While Driving

Some roads and interstates seem to go on forever. As you watch this never ending road, your mind is transported somewhere far beyond the inside of your vehicle. Now the subconscious mind is in control. In order to remain focused on the job at hand, the mind must be given mental abilities in order to stay alert and safe on the highway.

There are many ways to stay awake and alert on the highway. Some of these ideas work better for some than others. Finding out which one works best for you is what the whole ballgame is about. Below are a few ideas I've used for 31 years over the road which has kept me safe on the highway. Switching the sequence of some of these ideas around also helps to keep the mind alert.

Visual stimulation

Our senses are what stimulate the mind. Visual sensation is one of the most powerful senses that we have. As our eyes focus on an object the mind works overtime evaluating what we've just seen, and quickly sends mental impulses to the brain.

The mind then begins to drift off again as stimulation slowly begins to fade. A good way to stay alert on the road is to watch the scenery and the vehicles around you. Sometimes this can get very boring if the same route is traveled day after day. But, with new scenery and road conditions visualization can sometimes help you to stay focused on your driving.

Audio stimulation

Music is another way to stay alert on the highway. Putting in some of your favorite tunes, and singing along with the music is a great way to increase the blood flow in the body, and also the oxygen level in the lungs.

Talk radio is another way to keep the mind working and focused. Unlike music talk radio engages the mind and opens it up to new ways of thought. When you find a good talk show with subjects that interests you the mind can be very stimulated.

Books on tape are another wonderful way to make the miles fly by, while also keeping the mind alert. As you travel down the highway with a good story on tape your mind is engaged while you travel. You can learn some very interesting facts, or even listen to a great fiction story while you travel.

Verbal stimulation

With a friend along for the ride, what a better way to pass the time than with good conversation. Added with the visual stimulation almost any conversation is up for grabs. In the privacy of your vehicle maybe now's the time for a personal conversation with your traveling partner.

If a C.B radio is in the vehicle you can listen to the many conversations, or even talk with someone who's going your way. Directions can also be obtained and given as well as road conditions and traffic information.

Cell phones are great for talking on and staying awake, but not while you're driving. Your attention is too easily distracted while carrying on a conversation with someone else. Reaction times when using cell phones have been compared to someone driving who is physically disabled. If you need to make a call, take a break and make the call when you stop.

Mental and physical stimulation

This is what the whole thing boils down to is mental and physical stimulation. The mind is the strongest muscle we have, and it can easily be used to keep you alert and active. All you have to do is find a subject which is in your field of interest and go with it.

Plans can be made ahead of time as you travel, or you can even think about news ways of doing something you've just been dying to do. You can use the mind in numerous ways of creative thought. When one subject gets boring switch the mind off to another subject of interest.

As your muscles begin to relax your circulation is decreasing which makes you relax and slowly start to drift off. Moving and changing your position in the vehicle is a good way to get the blood flowing back into the body.

Adjust your back in the seat, and move your hips around to get the blood flowing into the lower extremities. Changing the position of your legs and feet also helps to keep them from getting too relaxed or stiff.

Taste stimulation

Eating some fruit or something to snack on is another great way to occupy and stimulate the mind and body. Hard candy or chewing gum is another way to waken your taste sensations. This gives the mouth and also the hands something to do.

There are other ways of stimulating the mind such as caffeine and other legal stimulants. These stimulants must be used with caution due to the physical crash which comes later on. Remember, almost anything which over stimulates you always has its down side.

Changing the order of all of these stimulations around is another way to occupy the mind. As soon as you finish the routine start all over again in a different sequence. After awhile this all becomes routine as the miles just seem to fade away.