Get rid of tiredness … recharge your batteries

It was the Spanish proverb which posits that “A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools”. As a motor car driver, at times you are tired, fatigued, and worn out. You may not even be functioning as you should. This is called fatigue, and everyone feels this at some point.

“If you are driving and you feel tired, don’t overdo it. Stop and rest for a few minutes in a safe and well-lit place,” advises Milton Vassall, management consultant and entrepreneur.

“Or hand over to another driver if one is in the vehicle. The sleeping experience that you encounter while driving can be detrimental.”

Among the various causes of tiredness or fatigue are:

1. The intake of sedatives or antidepressants

2. Persistent pain

3. Sleep disorders

4. Use of alcohol or drugs

5. Diabetes

6. Pregnancy

7. Depression

Lennart Meynert, in his book Life Management, Live Better by Working Smarter, says, “The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you are to manage your life.”

According to Dr Marianne Scarlett Carol, senior lecturer and consultant of anaesthesia and intensive care, UWI and UHWI, “Since tiredness is a symptom of an underlying disorder, the treatment depends on the cause, whether it is physical, psychological, or a combination of both.”

“Drivers, like all working persons, need to get a good night’s sleep to recharge their ‘alert’ batteries, drive carefully, and look out for their fellow Jamaicans who are crossing the road,” she adds. Dr Scarlett Carol says that motorists should leave out early for their destination, while being kind and respectful, instead of rushing and driving recklessly to arrive dead on time.

Here are some pointers that motorists can apply to reduce fatigue or tiredness:

Tip 1: Maintain a work and personal schedule that is reasonable.

Tip 2: Go to bed early.

Tip 3: Exercise regularly.

Tip 4: Eat a healthy balanced diet.

Tip 5: Drink between two or three litres of water every day.

Tip 6: Take the vitamin supplements recommended by your doctor regarding what is best in your case.

Tip 7: Avoid the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.

Other things that we can do as motorists, are as follows:

A. Practise works of mercy by being thoughtful. Try to assist those who can benefit from any kind and loving gesture.

B. Be kind to yourself. Find time to practise relaxation techniques and treat yourself once in a while to something you long for and enjoy.

C. Recall some happy memories whenever you find yourself falling into the sad sea of depression.

The wise Africans knew and understood the power of the mind. People can only be as good as their thoughts, as successful as mental patterns, as progressive as their ideas. Trust your kind heart and head. They usually take you to the places you want to go.