Health and Wellness of a Trucker: 5 Expert Tips

Truck drivers spend lots of time on the road, usually, far away from home. As such, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and routine during these trips is not an easy task.

Not a secret, an unhealthy way of living has adversely affected health. Research says that truck drivers have the highest obesity rates. Plus, most of them don’t get enough sleep per night and a high percentage of them are smokers. Additionally, many suffer from stress and depression.

However, for truck drivers to drive safely, they must be in the right shape mentally, physically, and emotionally, which is why truck drivers’ health and wellness is a crucial topic. Thankfully, there are several things that truck drivers, as well as the trucking industry, can employ to improve truckers’ health and well-being. This way, the drivers can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why is poor health among truck drivers risky on the road?

Poor health among truck drivers risks their jobs. The Commercial Driver License (CDL) is only issued to drivers that have a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate. Unfortunately, some conditions like blood pressure, obesity, high glucose, etc., can hinder you from getting the license.

Losing the Medical Examiner’s Certificate can also make a driver lose their CDL permanently. Also, an unhealthy lifestyle on the road puts a trucker at risk of developing long-term health conditions. And this can pose great risks to truckers and other road users as well.

How can truck drivers remain fit?

Making small lifestyle changes can come a long way. These changes include:

1. Getting enough sleep

Sleep is an essential part of a human being’s life. Most experts recommend sleeping 7- 8 hours a night. To avoid distractions, make sure to create a comfortable sleeping environment. Also, try to go to bed at the same time every night/day or aim for the same amount of sleep every time. And minimize use of any electronic gadgets while in bed.

2. Eating a balanced diet

A healthy lifestyle starts by eating healthy foods. Make sure to get enough vitamins, proteins, and other essential nutrients. We recommend eating whole foods instead of processed meals. Avoid eating saturated fats from fried foods, mayo-based dressing, etc., and opt for healthy alternatives instead. These include fruit, chicken sandwiches, vinaigrettes, etc. Also, instead of sugary drinks, take black coffee. And ensure that you are drinking enough water to flush out toxins from your system.

3. Wellness and work-life balance

Design a workout routine. Set realistic fitness goals and have a plan before starting. Your workout should include cardiovascular exercise and strength training. You can run around your truck several laps to make a mile and take short walks daily. Also, install fitness apps that recommend the exercises that you can do in a limited space.

4. Manage work-related stress

All work has its stresses, which is why employers these days make workplace wellness a priority. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the first step is to identify what’s inducing the stress. Is it that you have unrealistic goals or demands or too much workload? Pinpointing your stress can help you address it to and with the right person. Then, you can talk it out with friends, family, or therapists. Verbalizing your problems is said to give some source of relief. Also, manage your expectations. Accept that you can’t meet unreasonable demands and explain to your manager why it is so.

5. Practice routinely health checkups

Regular health checkups can identify potential health issues before they become a problem. They help improve personal health, reduce complications, and offer better chances of successful treatments. Truck drivers should get correct screenings, health services, and treatment to ensure that they live a healthy and longer life.

What our company does to improve trucker’s health and wellness

Transam Carriers aims at creating a healthy environment for truck drivers. We aim at improving the health and well-being of our drivers. Moreover, wellness is one of our 12 values. In this regard, we have taken various steps to ensure this. Our company offers health insurance to all our drivers, which includes dental visits. Therefore, they can get regular health screening and treatment. Additionally, we offer flexible work schedules and paid vacations to allow our workers to relieve stress and bond with their families, which is great for their mental health.

For drivers’ convenience, we utilize modern equipment and technology, including the last model Volvo VNL 760 trucks. Our facilities incorporate an in-house maintenance shop, a large warehouse, and a comfortable rest area with a kitchen. We also allow all our employees to bring their pets to work. Simply we love pets, and we understand that they can be great companions, especially when driving long distances.

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If you’d like to join us or learn more about career opportunities at Transam Carriers, visit our Careers page.

Quick apply for truck drivers:
https://www.transamcarriers.com/careers/apply-for-truck-driver/
Tel. 416-907-8101 ext. 5
Email: hr@transamcarriers.com