Many people mistakenly believe that truck driving is an easy, undemanding job with no real challenges – those who ourave been on the road know the truth of the matter. Trucking is hard work and physically demanding, but one of the most difficult challenges of the job rests on the fact that much of it is accomplished while sitting in a confined space. New studies have shown that sitting for extended periods of time is one of the worst things you can do for your body. So if you work as a truck driver, we encourage you to learn how to stay healthy on the road.
The most important step in learning how to stay healthy on the road is to get your head in the game. Make a commitment to do what it takes every single day you are behind the wheel. Write out a plan that covers all the bases: eating, sleeping, and exercising. Your goal depends on your ability to stay focused and mindful.
Now that you have made a commitment, you need to complete all the necessary preparations. Make sure you have everything you need for everyday life on the road as well as unexpected emergencies:
If you want to know how to stay healthy on the road, take a long, hard look at your diet. Many truckers fail to eat a well-balanced diet on the road due to a lack of time or energy, so you need to prepare carefully before you drive off. Instead of giving in to the temptation to stop at fast-food joints along your route, pack a cooler with fresh foods from home or stop at grocery stores along the way. If you have room, you could even bring along a small propane grill, a single-burner stove, or a crock-pot to prepare home-cooked meals on the road.
We encourage you to embrace the following tips for healthy eating as well:
Keeping physically fit while on the road is tremendously important. Medical researchers claim that the negative effects of sitting can only be reversed by standing and doing some minimal exercise at least once every four hours. This is not always possible on long hauls, but if you make it a point to do some stretches and simple calisthenics, such as jumping jacks, sit-ups, or push-ups, every time you get out of your truck, it will go a long way toward maintaining your health. The following tips can also help you stay fit:
Finally, get a good night’s sleep every night (or day, depending on your schedule). Make the most of your required downtime. If you struggle to fall asleep (or stay asleep) in hotel rooms, bring along whatever you need to relax and unwind. For example, some people find that a particular pillow, a brand of tea, a fan, a good book, or a sound therapy recording (ocean waves, raindrops, white noise) helps them fall asleep at night.
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Staying healthy on the road requires commitment and willpower. Temptations abound, from the glowing M of the McDonald’s sign to the TV in your hotel room. Keep the tips above in mind as you prepare for your next drive, and remember that your choices now will affect your health for years to come.
Are you interested in becoming a truck driver? You can learn everything you need to know at the Truck Dynasty Driving Academy, a professional truck driver training program that involves 160 clock hours and four weeks of professional driver training. In addition, current drivers can use the refresher course to sharpen and develop their skills. To get started, please give us a call at 417-831-8188, e-mail us at info@tddallc.com, or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!
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