Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging but worth it
Commercial truck drivers are the lifeblood of the economy, transporting 70% of all freight shipped in the United States in 2015. With such a large portion of the country depending on freight shipments, it is important that the men and women behind the wheel take care of their health. Staying healthy in such a demanding job can be difficult, so here are some tips for staying healthy on the road:
- Eat Healthy
- In a 2010 study, obesity was prevalent in 69% of respondents, more than twice the national average for workers, 31%
- Pack or purchase fresh ingredients at local grocery stores instead of visiting fast food stops
- Use a small, portable grill to cook meals; prepare a few meals at a time to reduce how much time you have to spend cooking
- Snack on fruits or vegetables
- Exercise
- The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly
- Take time to stretch when you stop to gas up or get food
- Walk or jog laps around the truck stop
- Utilize area trails for hiking, running, or biking
- Maintaining a steady exercise regimen will help prevent many chronic diseases
- Sleep
- Sleep is incredibly important in being healthy and the national sleep foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep a night for an adult
- Drowsy driving impairs driving as much as drunk driving
- Make sure your sleeping space is comfortable
- The recommended temperature for sleep is 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit
- Use a comfortable mattress and pillow
- Quit Smoking
- According to NIOSH, more than half, 51%, of all truck drivers smoke cigarettes
- Cigarette smoking leads to severe health complications later in life
- Use resources like gov and the American Cancer Society to remain cigarette free
- Occupy Your Mind
- Becoming distracted or zoning out while driving is a very real possibility when traveling across long highways
- Distracted driving can lead to fatal auto accidents
- Try listening to different music genres
- Listen to audiobooks by your favorite author or try new ones
While it can be challenging, maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on the road is very important. Following these tips will help make that task easier. Set health goals and take the time to meet those goals individually, rather than trying to do everything at once.
