I often find that I end up spending more time in my car than at home. In between work meetings, the gym, family plans and holidays, my car really does travel quite some mileage.
Over time I quickly discovered that as someone who near enough spends more time inside four wheels than at home, I need to make sure I’m prepared for all situations.
After all, if you end up stuck in a traffic jam or at a meeting much longer than you hoped, it’s nice to know you have things around you that make you feel as comfortable as possible.
So to help others who spend a lot of time driving, probably those reading this now, I’ve put together a list of all the essentials that come with me every time I venture out of the house.
Here are the 5 things I always carry with me in my car.
1) Water bottle
I’m a big advocate of living a healthy lifestyle, so if I do find myself stuck in my car on a four-hour drive, I make sure I stay hydrated at the very least.
My Kool8 stainless steel water bottle not only travels with me in my car but around every destination I visit, too. It keeps my water cool for up to 24 hours, meaning that no matter where I go, I’ll always have a nice, cold beverage with me to make those long journeys a little easier.
I’m also a huge advocate of saving the planet, so this purchase feels like a little win for me in a world full of disposable plastics.
Plus, 20% of all profits made on these water bottles are donated to underprivileged areas of the world to help them get access to clean water. Brands that care for the world as much as their products are a huge yes in my book, and I’m sure this robust, funky bottle will forever stay as my car journey sidekick.
2) Tire inflator
No one ever wants to be caught out with a flat tire, especially when in a rush. It happened to me once a while back, and I vowed to never let it happen again. The very next day I got myself online and bought a Fix-a-Flat Aerosol Tire Inflator.
This aerosol is so handy in an emergency, as it will repair small punctures in seconds and provide enough inflation to lift the rim off the ground.
As someone who drives a car constantly but doesn’t know enough to physically fix one, this aerosol is everything.
Not only can I provide a quick fix for my car at the roadside, but it’s also non-toxic and 100% environmentally friendly which is a big yes from me.
3) First aid kit
I reckon it’s pretty much common knowledge as to why you should always carry a first aid kit in your car.
Anything could happen to you while out on the road, so it’s better to be prepared. Even if buying a kit isn’t for your sake, buy one for the sake of other road users as you will never know when it might come in handy.
I like this one from First Aid Product – it’s not the biggest of kits, but has all the essentials and is very budget friendly. It’s perfect for any minor injuries you may experience on the road, and even if you never use it, it’s nice to know it’s there for peace of mind.
Whether you’re driving your kids around, work colleagues, friends, or even your dogs – having the essentials in the car makes for much safer driving.
4) Umbrella
We all get caught out in the rain every now and again. No one can always be completely prepared- right?
This is why I like to keep an umbrella specifically for the car. This umbrella from Victorinox will do the trick – it folds up nice and small so you can store it in the door of your car and is nice and lightweight making it easy to carry around.
The only tricky part is actually remembering to keep it in the car! There have been so, so many times now when I’ve carried it into the house and forgotten about it.
This is when it’s handy to have an umbrella holder by the door, which gives me a friendly reminder every morning as I leave for work.
5) Protein coffee
When I’m rushing out of the door after a morning workout to make my 9am, there’s often no time to get a proper meal or any sort of caffeine. This means that by the time I reach work I’m fatigued, hungry, and ready to go straight back home.
One day a colleague introduced me to Ultimate Nutrition’s Protein Coffee. She said it had completely changed her morning routine and left her energized and ready to go to work everyday after her morning run.
I gave it a try, and can confidently say I’ll never be going back. This quick and easy to make blend sets me up for the day with 15 grams of protein and the equivalent of two shots of espresso. And it tastes WAY better than the regular Starbucks coffee.
It’s also very low calorie, coming in at just 100 grams per serving.
Now, I whizz around work in the morning feeling so much more satisfied and productive. It’s amazing what coffee can do as it is, and is even better when mixed with a great serving of protein to help my muscles both grow and recover quicker.
Plus, with three different flavors to choose from, I’m guaranteed to never get bored.
You’re all set…
Ready, set, go! My car kit will hopefully now help you to be as prepared as possible for every situation you get yourself into when behind the wheel. Feeling hydrated, energised, and ready to tackle all problems makes me feel much more confident when driving, and I’m sure it will with you, too.
Starting off with the basics is essential to make every drive as safe as possible. And please, remember your seatbelt…
