Commercial truck driving is a tiring job that can negatively affect your health if you’re not following proper health measures. When you are going long hours on stretched roads and have limited access to healthy food options, there is so much that can happen to your health.
However, what you can do in all this is to let go of sedentary lifestyle choices and work towards improving your overall health. It will help you stay active and healthy on the road, especially when you are moving from state to state.
Read below to find some useful tips tailored for commercial truck drivers and stay healthy on the road.
1. Prioritize Regular Exercise
When you spend long hours sitting in your truck seat, it can lead to several health issues. These issues range from weight gain and muscle stiffness to poor circulation of blood in your body. That’s why regular exercise becomes crucial in this situation to promote your overall well-being.
You don’t have to go harder on yourself. Just include simple exercises like stretching, yoga, and bodyweight exercises in your routine to help your body get mobile. During driving, you can take short rest stops to stretch and do squats and lunges to keep your blood circulation in regulation.
You may have also noticed that many truck stops provide fitness facilities and gyms that further make it easier to do some exercises in your free time.
2. Practice Safe Driving Habits
While not directly related to personal health, safe driving habits are important for preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of both the driver and others on the road. One efficient tip to ensure safe driving habits is to obtain the required licenses and certifications, especially when you are conducting interstate operations.
This includes an MC number to go over state lines and other important certifications and licenses demanded by the state. Along with obtaining the necessary permits and certifications, it is also advised to obey traffic laws like speed limits and other rules of the road to reduce the risk of accidents and keep yourself safe.
3. Maintain a Balanced Diet
Diet is the most important component for commercial truck drivers looking to improve their health. Just as mentioned above, truck drivers do not have access to hygienic food during trips, so it is important to plan your meals in advance.
One efficient way to address this problem is to stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains before hitting the road. If, for some reason, you don’t have access to these foods, be sure to opt for healthier options at truck stops.
Instead of having fast food, look for salads, lean protein options, and whole-grain products that can provide you with the required energy and prevent unhealthy weight gain.
4. Prioritize Mental Health
When you are driving for extended periods, you can get bored due to isolation. That’s why it is important for truck drivers to take steps to maintain their mental well-being, too.
This includes staying connected to your family and friends. You can regularly call or video chat with your loved ones to avoid feelings of loneliness. If, somehow, these feelings of loneliness persist, you can try seeking help from a professional.