Car Rides Are My Kryptonite

It’s time to go, we pack up, hop in, buckle up, connect to your Spotify account, put the car in gear, and... fall asleep? Truly, nothing puts me to sleep faster than being the passenger during a long car ride.

If it's a short jaunt across town or running errands, I'm great. I chat, hold drinks, pass snacks, adjust the volume and heat controls, and navigate like a pro. (Seriously, no one reads Google Maps like I do.)

However, If the trip lasts longer than two hours, I am the absolute worst. Perhaps it's some evolutionary instinct preparing my body for the impending doom of being squished in a rolling metal box for an insane amount of time. Whatever it is, it's awful. Instead of being a useful and lovely companion, I'm about as much fun as a duffel bag that has to pee every hour and turns into a whining rage monster when even the least bit hungry.

My partner's solution to this madness? Turn the radio down, the heat up and make sure to pack my pillow and blanket. The result of this clever plan? Me asleep and the threat neutralized as I drool and snuffle* my way to our destination. (*Snuffling is a cute and endearing version of a snore that is both ladylike and adorable. I do not snore.).

The embarrassing part of this whole production? It totally works! Every. Single. Time. I jump in the car raring to go and twenty minutes later I'm dead to the world. There are enough photos on Drake'a phone of me open-mouthed car sleeping to make a dedicated Instagram account [insert unflattering open mouth picture here] + the "necessary" hashtags: #sleepyhead #carridesmakehersleepy.

Image via Geek & Sundry

Apparently, this is actually a thing! Thank you internet for corroborating my sleep tendencies. It’s affectionately called “carcolepsy” - a condition affecting buddies on a trip who fall asleep as soon as the car starts moving, providing no company or driving help

The theory behind explains that while you are a passenger the following things are happening:

1. You are not responsible for the control of the vehicle

2. The radio, car motor, and wind all serve as white noise

3. The repetitive motion as you pass white lines, bushes, power poles etc. is hypnotizing and relaxing

In conjunction, all of these things come together to form the recipe for sleep. Or at the very least, sleepiness.

The upside of this sleepy tendency? Car rides pass much faster whilst one is sleeping. I say embrace it! If you’re the passenger, dress comfortably, snuggle in and sleep away the miles. If your the driver, turn the radio down and the heat up, and enjoy some you time while your spouse, friend, child naps away. At least they’re not asking you “Are we there yet?”

Best,

Laura