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So you’re getting hitched? Congratulations! If you and your new spouse aren’t planning on hopping on a flight to celebrate your union, then you’re probably taking an old-fashioned road trip for your honeymoon. Since you won’t have the luxury of kicking back with some headphones and a nice neck pillow, you’ll need to be extra careful to stay alert during your drive.
The Dangers of Fatigued Driving
Weddings are notorious for zapping newlyweds of their much-needed energy. Even after a full night’s sleep, you two might still be feeling groggy when you head out for your honeymoon. After a long day of preparing, partying and engaging with your family and closest friends, you could probably use a full day of rest and relaxation. But, if you’re planning on driving to your honeymoon destination, your much-needed day of rest will have to wait. You may have slept off last night’s champagne, but the effects of driving drowsy are comparable to driving drunk. Slowed reaction time, impaired decision-making ability, and reduced attention span are what’s in store for you when you hop behind the wheel while drowsy. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you and your new spouse can try to keep yourselves as alert as possible while traveling to your destination.
Play Question Games
When your brain is fatigued, answering questions might be the last thing you feel like doing, but experts say that engaging in conversation can help you feel more alert. Try downloading a trivia app on your phone to provide you and your spouse with an endless list of getting-to-know-you questions that’s sure to get you through a long drive. Or, you can always go with the tried-and-true standby: 21 questions. If you’re looking for a more competitive take on traditional question games, try playing alphabet categories. Start by choosing a category, like food, clothing, books, etc. Then, starting with the letter “A,” name the first item you can think of in that category that begins with the letter “A.” Do the same for “B,” and so on. Narrow down your categories for a real challenge.
Take an Exercise Break
If talking doesn’t keep you alert, perhaps movement will. Movement increases circulation and pumps oxygen into your bloodstream. Since oxygen makes you feel more alert, simply taking a break to walk around the nearest rest stop or parking lot can work wonders to perk you up. If you’re feeling especially tired, try doing calisthenics instead of walking. Heart-pounding movements, like burpees, jumping jacks, squat jumps and push-ups, will really get your blood flowing and increase oxygen to your brain. Plus, vigorous movement causes your brain to release feel-good chemicals known as endorphins. After a little sweat session, you’ll feel more alert and happier, too.
Turn Up the Tunes
Jamming out to your favorite upbeat songs also increases your brain’s production of endorphins. Plus, it stimulates the release of dopamine, another feel-good brain chemical. Not only will you feel more jazzed up about your long trip with some good tunes playing in the background, but you’ll feel more alert, too. Research has found that noise exceeding fifty-five decibels increases sleep disturbances in slumbering individuals, so if you crank your stereo higher than that, you’ll have no problem staying awake.
Before you head off to celebrate your union, be sure to take steps to protect your safety. Your wedding day is sure to be a blast, but you two have a lifetime to spend together. Don’t risk your happily ever after by driving drowsy. If you must drive fatigued, try these tips to ensure you make it to your destination safely.
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