Aug 13, 2014

You know how difficult it is to survive the day on very little and no sleep.  Now, try dealing with that on a daily basis.  For some people, sleep issues are a chronic battle that they cannot overcome, despite how hard they try.  Flemington area Honda is talking about insomnia and driving.

 

Who Suffers from Insomnia?

Insomnia is not picky; it can consume anyone.  People who are most at risk for insomnia include:

  • People who work odd shifts
  • People on certain medicines or suffering from a medical condition
  • People with physical pains
  • People who suffer from mental illness or anxiety
  • Women going through menopause

 

How Insomnia Affects Driving

Sleepiness and fatigue can cause a host of problems when drivers get behind the wheel.  According to Forbes Magazine, after staying awake for 17 to 19 hours, your brain activity, or lack thereof, mimics that of an intoxicated driver with a BAC of 0.05, which is just points away from illegal intoxication.

  • Delayed and sluggish reactions
  • Irritability and impatience
  • Poor judgment
  • Trouble focusing
  • Decreased motivation, performance and awareness

 

What to do About Insomnia

If you suffer from nightly bouts of insomnia, contact your health professional about solutions to get your sleep cycle back on track.  Some suggestions include:

  • Medications prescribed and monitored by a physician
  • No caffeine or alcoholic beverages
  • Increased physical activity
  • Electronics off before bedtime
  • Keep your bedroom cool
  • Get rid of unnecessary light
  • Read before you go to bed, instead of watching TV
  • Take a relaxing bath
  • Get a massage
  • When you leave work, stop working