How to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a trucker

We all should strive to be healthy and fit, but it is rather important for truck drivers who don’t get much exercise throughout their days to focus on their health. To remain fit as a truck driver, you need to make some lifestyle changes, or at least improve what you are already doing to ensure good health in your future!

Here are some tips on how to better your health as a truck driver. 

Snack on healthy foods to minimize food portions 

Diet plays a big part of a healthy lifestyle. When you snack on healthy foods throughout the day, you will eat smaller meal portions. Here are some healthy eating tips while on the road:

• Yogurt
• Mixed nuts
• Veggies and hummus
• Dried fruits
• String cheese
• Beef jerky

Another healthy eating tip would include staying away from sugary foods a few hours before you go to bed, especially fruits and drinks. Try to avoid fast food as much as you can as well. 

Our last healthy eating tip is to eat breakfast everyday, as it is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast jump starts your metabolism, and is a great start to your day. 

Of course, don’t forget to drink water! Staying hydrated is very important when trying to be healthy. 

Get Plenty of Sleep

As a truck driver, you should sleep for seven hours in a quiet and dark place. According to research, truck drivers who fall asleep at the wheel cause one in five roadway deaths. This means sleep is important for your health and safety, especially if you work for long hours. Sleep is also replenishing to your mind, as you are focusing on the road for so long. Sleep is very important when it comes to healthy lifestyles! 

Stimulate Your Mind

Driving can get boring after miles of seeing nothing but trees, farm fields and roads. The mental health of truck drivers plays a big role in road safety. You can listen to the following to keep your mind sharp and fresh:

Music – Music can help keep the vibe up while you’re driving. Try to branch out of your normal music and listen to something new. 

Language tapes – you might not want to be fluent in another language but listening to language tapes will engage your mind. You might pick up a few phrases from a different language and expand your knowledge. 

Audio books – you can listen to your favorite books as you drive to keep your mind busy or use it as an opportunity to learn new things!

Exercise

For a truck driver, finding the time to exercise is almost impossible. Here are some suggestions:

Buy running shoes – you might want to go for a short run when you reach your truck stop to keep fit. With running shoes on, you will feel motivated to get going. 

Pedometers – you might not be sure how many steps or miles you’re clocking up on your breaks, so use a pedometer to track your exercise progress.

Folding bicycles – when you get to a truck stop, why not ride your bicycle around the perimeter? Some rest areas have small trails that you can follow to get your dose of daily exercise.

It isn’t the easiest thing to stay healthy while you’re on the road every single day. However, it is important that you focus on this for the betterment of your health.

At TransWood, we want to achieve excellence through superior systems, training, and dedication. Contact us today for any information regarding truck driving!