Image courtesy of Jim Allen, 365trucking.com

Consistent lack of sleep is not fun. It impacts our mood, our ability to focus, our ability to think logically, and even our motor function. In fact, irregular sleep patterns have been linked to diabetes, migraines, weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, mood disorders and shortened life expectancy.

Regardless of whether or not you love what you do, every job has its stressful moments. In the short-term, you may experience increased pressure to meet certain deadlines, deal with difficult team members, or juggle multiple responsibilities from different areas of your life. It’s when work-related stress becomes chronic that we see the real problems unfold. You know what we’re referring to here. Ongoing, unrelenting feelings of stress can lead to serious issues in one’s physical and emotional health.

Starting a new job can be one of life’s more challenging transitions. Not surprising is the fact that self care is one of the first personal “luxuries” to be sacrificed while acclimating to a new position. And, if there’s one bit of advice we can share with those starting a career in trucking, it’s to put your health and wellness first. 

Sensible snacking is a must for any driver. But, that’s easier said than done. Consistently eating healthy foods and packing nutrition-rich snacks can be a huge challenge for professional long haul drivers who are on the road more often than they’re at home. Not to mention the fact that a jam-packed schedule and the constant struggle to find places to purchase healthy foods can make eating well an ongoing challenge.

Truck driver burnout happens more often that you think. And, it’s more than just a lack of focus while on the road. Burnout can encompass physical and mental exhaustion, anger and bitterness over the job, and doubting your capabilities as a good driver. That’s a lot for any driver to deal with. And, there’s no doubt that burnout can often be responsible for driver turnover.

So, what can carriers and managers do to help their drivers? 

Whether you’re a newbie trucker who’s only been on the road a month or a seasoned veteran who’s seen -- and driven it all -- then you already know how hard trucking can be on your body. According to the OSHA, truck drivers are among one of the top professions most likely to be out of work due to an injury. But, this doesn’t have to be your fate.

We’re a quarter of the way into 2017, which means it’s time for a check in. How are your New Year’s health resolutions going? Are you making time for exercise? Have you finally adopted healthier eating habits? Are you making lifestyle changes that you can commit to and maintain for the rest of your life?

Heavy questions for a Tuesday, don’t you think? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to your health. Well-intended New Year’s resolutions sound great in the beginning but, as the old adage goes: Actions speak louder than words.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but it’s not easy living a healthy lifestyle as a trucker driving the long haul. What makes us really sit up and take notice is the sobering degree to which a driver’s health can be impacted by life on the road.

Have you heard the news? Nearly All Truck Drivers Will Require Sleep Apnea Testing According To New Guidelines

Today’s modern truck has the ability to collect and transmit information on many facets of its operation -- including your driving performance and any impending equipment breakdowns. And, with today’s technology advancing in leaps and bounds, the truck of the future will be able to do the same thing with you: read your vital signs and alert you and others to any impending health breakdowns. This is the future of driver health monitoring.