So it’s Holiday time again, which, if you’re like me, means, among other things, long-haul road trips. And for me, that used to mean drive-through food for lunch and dinner and several doses caffeinated soda and chocolate to fight the inevitable fatigue that would set it somewhere between the 4 to 6 hour mark.

And I guess I’m not alone. Triple A reports that in 2011, 32 percent of drivers surveyed admit driving while fatigued, and 2 in 5 say they have fallen asleep at the wheel. Joke all you like about family dysfunction during the holidays, but I would much rather spend a few hours with irascible in-laws than not arrive at all.

Obviously, I always managed to make it safely where I was going, but I would eventually arrive dehydrated, jittery and wired with dry, scratchy eyes. I would not be able to sleep, and it would usually take a couple days for my system to resume full regularity.

Here’s what I was doing wrong: The fast food for lunch would cause my blood sugar to first spike, then dive, leaving me feeling even more fatigued…and craving more. The candy bars would do the same, as would any other snacks which followed. Drinking soda after soda pumped me full of caffeine which would eventually kick in, but at the cost of dehydrating me and affecting my sleep and regular digestive function for days.

Then last year, when I was faced with monthly 14-hour drives for my job, I stumbled on a better way. First, I changed the fast food I eat. Despite the variety of fast food chains, the vast majority is loaded with carbs. As we all know from countless diet plans and info-mercials, “bad” carbs lead to low blood sugar and cravings. I now make sure to order grilled chicken and leave off the bun. I usually find a franchise that offers side dishes besides fries like coleslaw or green beans. Anything but fries.

Second, sing. That’s right. Sing. When you start to feel a little drowsy, pop you favorite music in and sing. Really belt it out. Who cares? You’re in your car, your own little bubble, on the interstate. If you really look closely (as a passenger, that is) I’ll bet you’ll see most everybody else is singing, too, anyway. Not only is it fun, but your breathing will get deeper and send more oxygen to your brain – just the ticket to be more alert.

Third, Yerba Mate. Okay, so what it Yerba Mate? Yerba Mate is a sort of tea. Actually it is made from steeping the leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree. More antioxidants than green tea, as much natural caffeine as diet soda, 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids…no wonder it has been revered for centuries as the “Drink of the Gods.” It’s available in the organic section of your grocery store or in any health food store. Simply brew some up before you go, pour it into a thermos or water bottle, and take it with you. I usually get a full cup of ice whenever I stop, pour some Yerba Mate into it, and just sip it along the way. I will admit it tastes a little strange, so I add a lemon to the thermos. You quickly get used to the taste, and you may get addicted to how you feel.

That’s it. Better food, some singing, and Yerba Mate. It’s fun, healthy, refreshing, and I arrive without the sour stomach, jittery nerves, and sleep issues…at least none caused by the trip. The in-laws are a whole other matter.

Are you packing your bags for a trip abroad? Make sure that you have a good Travel Insurance Policy in your kit before you leave. It is essential to ensure that nothing unpleasant happens to you on your trip. While a holiday abroad is a good experience for all it can be made unpleasant by any unforeseen happening and it is best to be insured against any such risk. Even a small happening like a stolen baggage or a major event like a civil emergency can land you in trouble. While a good Travel insurance plan covers you against all possible risks abroad it gives you a peace that there is a financial backing for you in case anything goes wrong.

Another major reason to have a travel insurance policy is that even if we have a health insurance policy, we will not get cover for our health if we are abroad. It is then that only a travel insurance policy can save you from a disaster.

One should always look at the coverage that a travel policy has to offer. Needless to say, wider the coverage, better the policy. Medical coverage should be the widest as it is one of the most important risks you would want to be covered while in an alien land. Medical expenses can be really high in a foreign country and disrupt your entire holiday budget. Hence always go for a policy that ensures you the widest coverage.

Some features one should look for while choosing a good policy:

• Medical insurance while you are abroad

• Personal Accident Insurance in case of death while abroad

• Repatriation of mortal remains in case the insured dies on the trip insured

• Coverage of hospitalization expenses in case of a medical emergency

• Coverage on Loss of baggage that has been checked in

• Coverage on loss of passport

• Payment of a distress allowance in case there is an excessive delay in flight, say more than 12 hours

• Payment of a hijack distress allowance in case the flight has been hijacked

• Online medical guidance in foreign country

• Arrangement of appointments with local doctors

• Arrangement of emergency hospitalization

• Direct settlement of bills in the hospital abroad

• Arrangements of conveyance in case of an emergency medical evacuation

Any policy that offers the above mentioned coverage can easily be taken to be good and reliable.

It should however be noted that most travel insurance policies exclude the following from the coverage:

• Pregnancy related costs

• Expenses arising due to self-injury or suicide attempts

• Treatments in psychiatric disorders

• Pre-existing diseases

• Expenses arising out of events happening due to influence of intoxicating drugs

It is best to avoid the above mentioned situations and rest assured of a complete coverage.