Truck driving is a demanding career both physically and mentally. It is essential that you take your health seriously and don’t let bad habits negatively impact your life and career later on down the road. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the level of obesity prevalent among truck drivers is 2x higher than most other occupations in the United States. Another study conducted by HireRight discovered that about 1 out of every 5 truckers has to leave the industry due to health concerns. Don’t suffer from preventable issues. Leading a healthy lifestyle definitely takes determination and strong willpower, but it is possible to do as a truck driver. The goal should always be to make work and life as enjoyable as possible for yourself, so read on to learn how to improve your health while on the road.
Food is Fuel:
You get out what you put in. Many truckers find themselves eating take-out for most of their weekly meals because the food is convenient. Keep in mind that you are paying for that convenience and the price can really add up. Click HERE to read all about our money management tips and the benefits of thinking ahead. Eating greasy processed foods will catch up to you eventually in the form of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lethargy, and clotted arteries. If you struggle with fast food, start thinking of food solely as fuel for your body.
Preparing healthy snacks and meals in the truck will not only help your wallet out, but also your body. Healthy foods will keep you feeling focused and energetic throughout the workday. Don’t weigh yourself down by overeating or by eating too many processed foods. Simplify your diet and eat meals which contain ingredients that you can recognize. Also remember to stay hydrated!
Click HERE to access a great resource for cooking and meal prepping as a trucker.
Get Enough Rest:
Everyone likes to think that they are capable of functioning with little sleep, but this just isn’t the case. The human body needs time to reset itself each night, so avoid long stretches without getting some shut-eye. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured to keep running the truck beyond your limits. Get enough rest everyday and maintain open communication with your dispatcher. Symptoms of sleep deprivation include a depressed mood, irritability, forgetfulness, clumsiness, and slowed reflexes. All actions have consequences and running beyond your limits is not worth your career, your life, or the lives of others. Getting enough sleep will help you deal with the challenges of the job in a productive way and will also help prevent unnecessary accidents.
Exercise Regularly:
We understand that exercising regularly as a driver can be difficult, but it isn’t impossible. Start taking short evening walks before bed or using a fold-able bike to get to the grocery store at night. You will need to force yourself to get into the habit of exercising regularly until it becomes second nature. It is all too tempting to turn the truck off for the night and sit, but use some of your free time to move your body. The best advice we can offer is to find a physical activity that you enjoy and kill two birds with one stone; exercise and entertainment.
Stress Management:
Trucking is a stressful career and that is why it is so important to find healthy ways to manage it. Everyone knows that stress kills, so don’t ignore the signs that you are close to losing it. Start by not worrying about things that you have no control over and set realistic expectations for yourself. Also, you are bound to come across a bad driver or two…or three with all of the time you spend on the road. Getting hot-headed will do nothing but raise your blood pressure. Breath through the stressful moments and use some of your free time to decompress and communicate with loved ones who are supportive.
Here at Truck Mart LLC we love seeing truckers leading successful and happy lives. We understand that trucking is an incredibly demanding occupation and that is why it is so important that you practice a healthy lifestyle. No one should care more about your own health than you! Small changes can have a very big impact on your life. Take care out there!
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