How to Stay Focused and Alert on Your Drive Home

How to Stay Focused and Alert on Your Drive Home Your shift is finally over, and you made it to your vehicle and started the engine.

Several minutes go by and you realize you are still sitting there for virtually no reason.

Actually, there is a reason; the shift you just completed is very fresh in your mind. Now the question is, how are you going to put everything from your day out of your mind, and drive home safely?

Allow for Unwind Time You know how it is--the more you try not to think of something, the more you think about it. Maybe you had an unusually difficult day, or had a patient that was not doing very well when you left, so naturally you are concerned. The reality is, as a nurse there are hundreds of things that you had to handle and deal with during your shift, and there is no easy way to simply drop it off at the door of the hospital. Instead of trying so hard to avoid the issue/thoughts at hand, allow some time to think of them. When you get in your vehicle, providing it’s in a safe location, plan to sit there for 3-5 minutes just to unwind and let the day go. Think about the day, or your patient, then let it go for now.

You can readdress any problems at a later time, but right now it driving time and that is where your mind needs to be. The key is not to try to force yourself not to think about the day, just tell yourself you will go over the day at a later time, for now, and clear your mind.

Driving Under the Influence of Work We all know the slogan “don’t text and drive”, and it is a great one to live by for sure.

However, there are actually more accidents each year due to distracted driving, other than texting. Some states are now making it illegal to eat or talk on the phone when driving, both are considered a distraction. Statistics say between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. the most accidents occur 5-6 p.m. it is estimated that the reason is, people have let their jobs for the day, but the job didn’t leave them. In other words: distracted driving. Allowing your mind to wander while you are driving can be just as dangerous as texting while driving, and we all know how unsafe that is.

Before You Drive When you get into your vehicle, it's only natural that you want to get home as soon as possible. However, your safety, and the safety of every person you encounter on the road can be dependent on your ability to stay focused 100% on your driving. When you get in your vehicle, adjust your mirror if necessary, select your music source if applicable, and plan to leave it until you arrive home. Fasten your seatbelt, and adjust your seat to a comfortable position. Make any adjustments or settings that you need to do prior to driving out of your parking space. It is imperative that you don't do anything when driving other than driving. It really is as simple as that.

Related: What to Do When Someone Complains About You

Remain Focused on the Road & Other Drivers You may consider yourself to be a safe driver, and you very well may be. You can certainly control your driving, making sure you drive safely, obey the speed limits, and traffic signs. What you cannot do is control the driver behind you, beside you, and coming toward you. You cannot control the other drivers, but you can be aware of them, and cautious of them when necessary. Today’s driver are more distracted than ever, and just because you have taken the pledge to not text and drive, unfortunately does not mean the other driver has also. Keep your eyes open for erratic drivers.

Drivers that continuously speed up and slow down, or swerve out of their lane may be involved in something other than driving. No one can prevent all accidents; however you can be cautious and pay attention to drivers around you. That in it will keep you focused. If you are acknowledging the other drivers, then you are indeed focused on the act of driving.

Road Signs & Warnings Obviously you don’t want to read every sign in full as you drive by. You can ignore the signs advertising the latest trendy restaurant, but glance at the official signs; they may be providing valuable information to make your drive safer. Consider there may be a bad accident 2 miles ahead, and when traffic reaches the area, it comes to a dead standstill. By noticing the sign, you can be prepared for what lies ahead. You will know that in 2 miles, or slightly less, you will need to hit the brakes.

Keeping your Mind Clear It's understandable--you are busy, and you have a million things to do, so it's hard to stay focused on the boring road ahead. One trick that may work is to actually pretend you are driving a bus full of passengers, and they are all depending on you to drive them safely to their destination. There will be no rushing to make it through the light as it’s changing, no speeding across the railroad track as the warning arm beings to lower, and no passing when not permitted. That’s right; all of those 50 lives on that bus are depending on you.

In reality, there are most likely more than 50 lives depending on you. You may not be driving a bus, and you may not have 50 people in the vehicle with you, but you have a number of family, friends, and patients that are depending on you to reach your destination safely. By driving carefully, and remaining focused on your task at hand, which is driving, you are doing all you can to be safe.

Convince Yourself to Remain Focused As you walk from the hospital to your vehicle, start repeating to yourself, either in your mind or out loud, “I will remain focused and arrive home safely”. Saying this repeatedly at least 10 times will actually regulate in your mind, and may prevent your mind from wandering. As you are diving, at any point you begin to lose your focus of the driving at hand, remind yourself out loud: I will stay focused on my driving. When talking yourself into safe driving, make it a pep talk, don’t deliver it in a negative tone. The more

positive you are about driving safely, the easier it is to follow through with your goal of driving safely and staying focused. Just consider the positive results of your remaining focused: you arrive safely. There is nothing more positive than that.

Related: The Evolution of the Nursing Uniform To Stay Alert Drink? Maybe Not Many people rely on coffee to keep them awake and focused when driving. There may or may not be validity in that. There is some truth to the fact that caffeine will keep you awake, however, if you are drinking it as you drive, you may very well be defeating the intended purpose. First of all, coffee is hot. Should that hot drink spill on you, can you remain focused on your driving, or will you turn to your scalded leg? The fact is, that is really hard to say. The second issue is; can you keep your cup from spilling in your vehicle? Most of us are pretty particular when it comes to our vehicles staying neat and clean, so a spill in the seat or even the floor is going to create frustration. The real question is, how much attention will you have to devote to that cup in your hand, regardless of what beverage in inside? Eating and drinking while driving can be every bit as distracting as texting while driving, so you may want to skip that cup of coffee and again, concentrate on driving. If you feel that you need something to stimulate your mind while driving, opt for some cinnamon, or other type of strong flavored gum. Just be sure to open the gum before you drive away from your parking spot, or while stopped at a traffic light. Don’t try to open the gum, or anything for that matter, while driving.

Remember, the goal is to stay focused.

A few simple adjustments and you will be able to find what works best for you so that you can stay focused, and most importantly stay safe.

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