8 Ways To Overcome Microsleep While Driving, Please Don't Force It!

How to deal with microsleep while driving (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA - Microsleep is a condition in which a person falls asleep in a very short time or just for a few seconds without realizing it. While driving, this condition can be very dangerous because it can result in loss of concentration and control over a vehicle. So how to deal with microsleep while driving?

Microsleep conditions are experienced quite often by many drivers. Usually the driver feels this condition when driving in a state of fatigue or lack of sleep. Especially when you cross a straight and smooth road, microsleep is prone to occur.

This of course endangers the safety of drivers and passengers in the car. For those of you who often experience this condition, you must know how to deal with microsleep while driving so that it doesn't have to be fatal on the way.

Microsleep is one of the main causes of traffic accidents. Temporary loss of consciousness can make drivers lose control of the vehicle. Even just a few seconds of loss of concentration, driving activity can lead to fatal risks. Especially when this happens when driving at high speed.

For the sake of driving safety, here's how to prevent and overcome microsleep while driving:

One of the most effective ways to prevent microsleep is to ensure that you have enough sleep before starting the trip. Adults generally need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to keep the body and mind fresh.

Driving in sleep shortages greatly increases the risk of microsleeping, so it is important to prioritize rest time.

If you start feeling sleepy while driving, you should immediately stop in a safe place, such as a rest area or a refueling station.

Take a few minutes to sleep for a moment or just rest so that the body gets back to rest. Short 15-20 minutes of rest is effective enough to reduce the risk of microsleep.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can help increase vigilance and delay drowsiness. A cup of coffee or other caffeinated drinks can be a temporary solution to get rid of drowsiness while driving.

However, the caffeine effect usually lasts only a few hours, so it cannot be used as a long-term solution. In addition, drink enough caffeine so as not to interfere with the quality of sleep in the future.

A cabinet that is too warm can make the body more relaxed and speed up drowsiness. Set the cabin temperature to a cooler level so that the body remains vigilant. Turning on the air conditioner or opening a little window to breathe fresh air can also help reduce drowsiness.

Eating heavy foods before driving can make the body feel tired and curt, because the digestion of food requires quite a lot of energy. Instead, choose snacks and health before driving so that the body remains energetic and maintained.

When driving for a long time, try to stop for a moment and stretch your body every few hours. Taking a body movement or taking a walk for a moment can help promote blood circulation and reduce drowsiness.

Driving with other friends or passengers can help you stay awake, especially if they can invite you to talk during the trip. Talking to other people can help the brain stay active and prevent microsleeping.

Listening to music with a fast rhythm and an energetic beat can help maintain concentration during driving. Music at a fast tempo can stimulate the brain to stay alert and reduce a sudden drowsiness.

Those are some ways to deal with microsleep while driving that you need to apply. If you experience symptoms such as your eyes feel heavy, it is difficult to maintain focus, or frequent yawning, you should immediately stop traveling and rest. Also read can microsleep be cured?

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