Discover 5 Tips That Improve Your Health On the Road

There are some things in life you already know. Not sleeping enough leads to poor health. Sitting for hours is bad for your spine. But as a truck driver, your health is at a higher risk than an office desk job. That’s why these 5 health tips for truck drivers promote simpler routines or add ons to your route. You don’t have to make major changes to see major benefits. Starting small can be all it takes to adopt better habits that last a lifetime. 

Improve Your Posture

One of the bigger issues when driving for long hours is bad posture.  Poor posture means all kinds of trouble for you physically. You probably already know the aches associated with long drives!

But did you know extended periods with poor posture mean greater cardiovascular risks? A small change in posture could reduce your ability to deliver oxygen to muscle tissue.

To offset these negative effects, we recommend purchasing lumbar support. It could be a beaded seat cover or cushion. Some cushions even offer built-in massager and heat.

Finding the best support for your back won’t break the bank when you see it as an investment in your health.

Add Sunscreen to Your Routine

Another simple tip to add to your drives is sunscreen. Of course, sun exposure will lead to a nice tan. But constant exposure has seen many truck drivers experience serious side effects.

The constant exposure from one side means an SPF of 30 or higher can block out at least 98% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays!

A few more helpful tips for truck drivers facing the sun are:

  • Wearing long-sleeved clothing when possible
  • Wearing Hats and shades to prevent exposure to the face
  • Routine skin cancer screenings
  • Take extra precaution when the sun is at its peak (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Set a Schedule for Stretching and Exercise

Not only is bad posture an issue but lack of movement while driving presents its own problems.

Even commuting 10 miles one way increases cholesterol and blood sugar levels. To reduce levels of stress on the body, a 15-30 minute exercise routine can keep your body maintained.

The goal isn’t to train 100 sets in a day. Simple exercises, like jogging around your truck, will produce positive benefits. Even without weights or equipment! Check out these exercise routines created by fellow truck drivers.

Set a Time to Decompress

When all is said and done, a long day of driving would leave anyone worn out. Finding the time to decompress gives you some peace of mind. But you don’t have to write anything down in a journal to achieve peace.

Studies show that simply having a moment of solitude can increase empathy levels. Not being distracted by driving or your phone creates the time you need to reflect. Commit to having 10 minutes of simple breathing exercises to calm your mind.

Plan Your Meal Times

A simple health tip for truck drivers is preparing your meals before you head out. You may not have the time to cook everything, which is ok! But finding grocery stores on your route helps you instinctively choose better options.

Imagine a 27-hour route where you know where you’ll stop to eat a meal. You won’t have to always stop at a gas station to get your caffeine fix. Instead, buying ready-made meals at a store on your route will have you set.

Some of these health tips for truck drivers are things you may already know. The main point is that a few small changes can make a big impact on how your future routes go. It’s better to start slowly improving small areas of your life than not at all.

Needing a little more than health tips for your routes? Find out how our benefits cover you while you’re on the road. Call us today to get exclusive deals from top insurance providers. Your health matters at First Family Insurance.




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