Imagine this: you've been in a car for six hours. Outside, the air is heavy with humidity and is a sweltering 90 degrees; all you want to do is sit in an ice cold pool or lie on the beach. But you’re stuck in a car for three more hours with your family. Tensions are rising, people are tired, it's hot out and you just realized you haven't really eaten today. Here’s how to survive:
1. Bring Snacks
Once I was on a road trip and hadn’t eaten for about 13 hours, and I was not happy. The traffic was horrible so there wasn’t even an option to get off the highway and grab a meal. The traffic would only get worse. My mom had actually asked me if I wanted to bring a snack, but I declined because I wasn’t hungry at the time. Had I brought my snack, maybe I wouldn’t have been so crabby and so quick to fight with pretty much everyone. If you want to be healthy, you can bring some fresh cut fruit or veggies. You can even buy “to go” hummus cups at most grocery stores now, add some veggies or pita chips and you'll have an easy meal to go!
2. Stay Hydrated
It's hard staying in a hot car for eight hours, but it's even harder when you realize you didn’t pack any water as you’re speeding down the highway with no rest stops in sight. If you freeze two or three bottles of water, by the time you’re a few hours into the trip, some of the ice will have melted and you’ll have ice cold water. Bring plenty of water, especially because whomever is driving is going to be really hot and really tired! I always prefer water, but drinks like Gatorade and iced tea will keep you just as hydrated!
3. Caffeine Machine
Yes, I know for some people, coffee is a life line. But coffee is a diuretic, and you really don't want to feel like running to the bathroom every half hour. For many people, coffee also dehydrates them, meaning they’ll need to drink more water, which will bring them back to the bathroom. My recommendation is to drink a coffee slowly over the course of an hour or so because it will keep you awake and you won't crash! Not a coffee person? That's fine! Tea is a great way to stay awake without the harsh jolt coffee gives. My personal favorite is Matcha tea, or iced matcha over the summer. Green tea will give a subtle but stable energy that should last the whole road trip.
4. Entertainment
You more than likely will not have wifi during this road trip, so that means hours away from Netflix or the internet. What's a millennial to do? Bring a book to read or if you have a tablet, you can even download movies and television shows onto it! Just be prepared because you never know when you can lose service or experience an issue with the download. Bring a book, magazine, or if you’re really bored, buy a book of crossword puzzles or sudoku. You won't even notice how much time has passed! Coloring books are growing in popularity and you can buy some calming ones at any store!
5. Stay Charged
Imagine your phone is on 10 percent and you reach into your bag to grab your portable charger, only to realize it's not there. You have no other way of charging your phone and you’re barely half way to your destination. Always double check that you brought your charger, portable charger and a car charger. Nothing is worse than being stuck in a super hot car with nothing to do, and having nothing to listen to either. Stay prepared and stay charged!
6. Dress Comfortably
As I write this, I'm sitting in a car where it's 90 degrees outside and I am suffering in the pair of jeans I chose to wear. Cars are cramped and hot, and it always gets stuffy in there. Be prepared for it to be cold if the AC is on or sweltering hot if the windows are down. Loose, comfortable clothing that you would lounge around the house in is always best because your body can be comfortable and it has room to breathe. When you get in the car, take off your jacket and your shoes because those will only make you feel more cramped up.
7. Plan Rest Breaks
If you can, try to plan a rest every few hours. Not only will the driver be grateful for being able to sit down and relax, but you’ll be so glad to get up and move around. Plus, planning breaks will give you something to look forward to if you’re really bored out of your mind. My family and I always stop at the same places when we go on vacation, so it's easy to track our distance by that.
8. If you can, move around.
Any opportunity you get to stand up and stretch your legs out, do it! After sitting for so long your muscles are tired and want to move around. Stretch your legs out, go for a walk or just stand outside and relax. If you’re stuck in the car and you can feel your muscles getting stiff try doing some easy leg stretches like rolling your ankles and flexing your feet to ease up some tension.
9. Make A Playlist!
I swear by Spotify premium (the student version is only $5)! You can listen to any song you want, and don't have to be interrupted by ads every four songs. You can even make playlists and save them to listen to just in case there is no service in the area. If you get bored by all the music you have, you can even go to the discover section and listen to new music. I highly recommend making a playlist or two for the journey, then you wont have to be searching all over your phone for the songs you want to listen to. Everything will be at the touch of a button.
10. Get excited for the adventure ahead!
You may be bored out of your mind sitting in a car for hours, and if none of the entertainment tips above seem to capture your interest, why not think about the trip you're on? My family vacations to the same place every year, so when I'm in the car, I know I can get excited to do all of the things I love on vacation. Daydream about the pools that await you and the icy cold water. Think about the beach and the sand, or the mountains that you’ll soon see. Look on your phone for exciting things to do in the area and try to plan some “must see” events! The car ride is only the beginning of what could be a great adventure. Think about all the good times you'll have, and if you're on the way home, think about the great vacation you’re coming back from!
