The holidays are about to hit, which for some people means getting in the car and heading to your campsite, a resort, a relative\’s house, a festival, somewhere that you can take a break and enjoy the sunshine. Here\’s our top tips for ensuring everyone stays safe, healthy and happy while you\’re on the road.
1. Pack Good Food
In the first segment of Jamie Oliver\’s summer series (easy to find on YouTube), he makes a chilli con carne that keeps cooking as you drive – as he puts it, there\’s nothing like eating great food while everyone around you is subsisting on fast food or whatever they could find at the petrol station.
Even if you aren\’t quite that dedicated or you\’re going on a longer trip, you can still plan ahead. Stock up an esky with crackers, protein-packed dips, fruit, vegetable sticks, things to make tasty sandwiches with (cold meat, mustard pickles…save putting it on the bread until you\’re about to eat). If you eat healthy and keep your blood sugar levels steady, then you\’re less likely to get fatigued and irritable.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
If you\’re in a hot car, you need to stay hydrated. This is especially important if you insist on chugging coffee or energy drinks to stay awake (though if you\’re tired enough to need them, maybe you should take a break!) – they have a diuretic effect, so you\’ll constantly be losing water/needing bathroom stops. Chuck a few big bottles in the car before you leave, some frozen and some fresh (added bonus, the frozen ones will keep your food cool as they melt).
3. Take Regular Breaks
Grandma would much rather you arrived late than not arrive at all. It sounds morbid, but when you\’re tired your reaction times are slower, you close your eyes more, you don\’t judge distance or risk as effectively. You should be taking a break, or if possible swapping drivers, every two hours.
4. Stay Sober
This might seem obvious, but it\’s an important one. Before you leave a festival or camp site, make sure you\’re completely clean. Maybe it\’s uncool to avoid taking or drinking anything on the day you leave, but a crash would be an awful end to an otherwise great holiday.