Sleep is a very important part of human health. Every health professional’s first advice is to have sound and deep sleep. But definitely not while driving. Yes, a loud NO! Please make sure you get proper rest and take care of your health.
Because even today, accidents caused by microsleep are seen quite often across the world. And that’s what this article is about. You just continue reading till the end to understand the causes of microsleep, its symptoms, and how to prevent it. One must always remember this: when you drive consciously, everyone on the road stays safe.
What is a Microsleep?
Microsleep is a very short, sudden moment of sleep that happens when a person is extremely tired or sleep-deprived. And it can last anywhere between half a second and ten seconds.
This small “blackout” is enough to cause some real damage. Microsleep can happen while driving, studying, working at a desk, or even during a conversation. But on the road, it becomes life-threatening.
Symptoms and Warnings of Microsleep
The body gives signals when it is getting close to that point of microsleep. The problem is that most people ignore these signs.
Some common signs include:
- Heavy eyelids or constant blinking
- Yawning repeatedly
- Sudden jerks of the head while sitting still
- Missing small details or road signs
- Wandering thoughts and lack of focus
- Feeling impatient, irritated, or restless
Common Causes
Microsleep can usually happen due to extreme tiredness. But remember, there are some other reasons behind that tiredness. You have to make sure to keep track of all these:
- Lack of proper sleep:Getting less than 6–7 hours of sleep regularly weakens focus and alertness.
- Sleep disorders:Problems like insomnia or sleep apnea disturb rest, even if a person spends enough time in bed.
- Long working hours:Truck drivers, doctors, or shift workers often work late into the night, disturbing their sleep cycle.
- Repetitive or boring tasks:Driving on long, empty highways or doing the same activity for hours can make the brain slow down.
- Stress and anxiety:Mental exhaustion also drains the body and leads to poor focus.
- Medications and alcohol:Certain medicines or even small amounts of alcohol can make the body drowsy.
- Poor diet and dehydration:Eating heavy meals or not drinking enough water also makes people sleepy.
The human body is not a machine; remember, even a machine needs its rest to start again. No, don’t ignore these signs because then these can lead to the body’s forced shutdown, which is microsleep.
Some Serious Dangers Due to a Microsleep
The main danger of microsleep is that it happens without warning. Even a few seconds of inattention while driving at high speed can have deadly results. Yes, a small distraction from the road is enough to crash into another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Some common deadly accidents caused by microsleep:
- Rear-end collisions
- Drifting into the opposite lane
- Ignoring traffic lights or stop signs
- Running off the road completely
- Overturning the vehicle due to sudden braking
Prevention
- The best way to avoid microsleep is to take care of your body’s need for rest.
- Get enough sleep; typically, it is advised to have around 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Avoid driving during late-night hours when the body naturally feels sleepy.
- Make sure you take regular breaks, every 2 hours, to stretch or rest while driving for a long time.
- Avoid alcohol (keep in mind it is illegal to drive) and heavy meals. Both have the tendency to make you drowsy.
- If you feel your eyes getting heavy or your focus slipping, stop immediately.