Staying Awake?

I try to shut down my midnight at the latest, I found that the earlyer I start the more tired i'll be at the end of the day...

So instead of starting to drive at 7 or 8 am, I'll start at 4-6am that way not only are you going to get more done in the 11 hours but you'll be exuasted and ready to sleep when you shut down.

well long days are only 14 hours so anyone can stay awake that long, but the trick is staying awake in those early morning hours 2am-7am when your body wants to be alseep even if you just slept 10 hours lol

So this is what I do, I dim the lights (dash lights) and cover the front of my CB the Blue lights are so bright it makes me tired for some reason. then I find some bad Az$ music to wake me up and keep me going

heres a great song to get the blood pumping \/ Don't bother looking up the lyrics.....it kinda takes away from the Bad Az$ness of the song once you know what there saying.... I just like the way it sounds



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My0HQ0QkGLQ







American Trucker

 

For me, eating right and some basic exercise like walking makes my sleep seem like a renewal. I think the biggest issue I have is more mental, it has to with getting my sleep jacked all over the clock, due to load assigments. AE: I have been up all day dealing with a receiver getting unloaded, and the after the MT goes in, I get load assignment that will require I drive all night......I attempt to get a later appointment the next day, but "No can do" comes back on the peoplenet........so I drive all night an when I get to the appointment, I find out they really were not expecting me till the following day. It makes me think no one really cares, and mentally it hard to get in the mode of doing all over again,...and again...and again.

 

Rammstein is a great band, I do agree.

I have to ask though, how do you keep awake when youre physically driving. I mean, regardless of the time of day. When you drive for 8 hours, it gets tiring. I stop every 2 hours or so and take a short stretch break and walk just to get the blood moving. It usually works. I try the music and even the cold air but I actually like it better when I sleep and its cold out, so thats no good.

 

Keep your mind busy....don't just stare out the window like your bored all those little white lines will put you right to sleep.


I try to keep thinking about something, stuff I need to do or talk to someone (bluetooth) or something like that. It can take ALLOT of mental focus to stay awake...

I try to mix it up, a little heat then cold then open the window then music then, or any combination lol.


The most important part is knowning when its time to park it....you can only do so much, no load is worth getting in a wreck... No matter how much the Dispatcher/broker/customer whines its up to the DRIVER to get it there safe!





American Trucker

 

I do the same thing. I find that a brisk walk does wonders for me. In addition, drink lots of fluids. This insures you'll stop every two hours...LOL!

I'm also not afraid to break up my 11 hours with a nap in the middle somewhere.

 

I do the standards, take a walk, drink coffee, smoke too much, etc. But as I've said before: XM comedy keeps me going.

 

I'm not a trucker but my son is,he says chewing gum helps keep him awake;it's hard to fall asleep when your jaws are constantly moving.Also ditto on the open window and loud music.