When driving a commercial truck, particularly on long hauls, your body can undergo a tremendous amount of stress. For this reason, it is vitally important that you make an effort to stay healthy while on the road. The tips below can help you to do so.
Get a Sufficient Amount of Sleep
Medical studies have shown that sleep plays a vital role in both learning and memory. If you are sleep deprived, you will not be able to focus. Since driving long distances requires that you be able to focus, it is critical that you get enough sleep, and solid sleep at that. Sleeping in your truck or even in a hotel can often make it difficult to sleep well, but there are some things you can do to get a better night of sleep. For instance, you may find that a white noise machine helps to block out noises that might disturb your sleep. Ensuring you have a good quality pillow can also prove to be helpful.
Eating Healthy
Eating healthy is important to your overall health in a number of ways. In addition to boosting your immune system and maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy can also help you to sleep better. Make a point of eating less processed foods while increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables.
Avoid Smoking
Tobacco use is one of the leasing causes of death in the world. By avoiding the use of tobacco products, you will be able to decrease your risk of cancer, heart disease, and many other diseases. Also you will save time and money as you won’t need to stop as often to either smoke or buy more cigarettes. Not to mention, if you are carrying hazardous materials, smoking is usually a big no-no.
Stay on Top of Your Diabetes
As a commercial truck driver, you might be surprised to find that you have a greater risk of developing diabetes. The key to lowering this risk is to make sure you eat healthy and get plenty of physical activity. If you already have diabetes, it is also important that you work with your physician to keep it under control.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water every day is vital to good overall health. In addition to regulating your body temperature, drinking plenty of water is also important for lubricating and cushioning your joints. Water is also vital for eliminating bodily wastes through bowel movements, sweat, and urination. Men should be sure to drink at least a dozen cups of water daily, while women should drink upwards of eight cups of water daily. If you are working in a hot climate, increase your water intake accordingly.
Physical Activity
Getting plenty of exercise is important for everyone, as doing so can offer many health benefits. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity can also reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and risk of cardiovascular disease. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.
Keep Your Stress to a Minimum
Stress can contribute to a number of health problems. While stress is not always bad, too much stress can result in both mental and physical health issues. In fact, chronic stress can lead to an increased risk of coronary disease, as well as other habits that can lead to health issues, including smoking and overeating. To reduce your stress levels, try to get more sleep and consider engaging in relaxation exercises, such as meditation.
Take Time Off
As a commercial truck driver, there can be a lot of demands on your time and a need to complete the next delivery. Even so, it is important that you take advantage of your vacation time. Whether it is traveling to a new destination as a tourist or simply sitting at home and relaxing, taking some time off can help to reduce stress.