Keep Your 2016 Resolution With These Healthy Lifestyle Tips For Truckers
Making healthy choices can be tough in our day to day lives. Trying to stay healthy while spending large stretches of time on the road is even tougher. As we kick off 2016 and walk the long road keeping our resolutions we thought we’d share some healthy living tips to help you achieve your goals or lead a healthier lifestyle while behind the wheel of your Hino.
By healthier lifestyle we don’t mean “how to start your 2016 diet” although we will discuss some healthy eating habits. Your physical as well as your emotional health need a little maintenance while you’re on the road. Driving a truck takes you away from family and friends and moves you towards a sedintary lifestyle. Becoming a healthy trucker starts with addressing all of these lifestyle influences. This means getting plenty of rest, making deliberate lifestyle choices and keeping up with your personal relationships at home. These are seemingly big challenges but lets make 2016 your year!
Stretches to prevent aches and pains
Maybe you’re not a regular stretch kinda trucker, besides the arms-over-the-head wake up stretch, but regular and proper stretching can help prevent back and neck pain that can keep you on the road longer. Compression of the spine, circulation issues, pain in the hips and lower back, none of these sound like something you want to experience. Reap the benefits of an equipmentless mini workout that will increase the longevity of your career. We assembled a few resources here to give you tips and tricks for staying limber.
Healthy eating - We know you’ve heard it before but we’re here to tell you again.
You don’t need to go on a diet. Just make conscious decisions about what you’re eating. This is easier said than done when you are surrounded by unhealthy options that you've grown accustom to. Try to prepare snacks at home instead of relying solely on what’s available at stops along the way. Accessible snacks like nuts, veggies, or fruit can tie you over till your next meal and are easy to prepare and carry with you. Picking up this little habit could save you from making unnecessary, high calorie choices at snack time. Try exploring some of the lighter menu choices at your stops. With eating healthy trending in fast food restaurants, you may be surprised at how good some of the lower calories choices are. Establish a different relationship with the food you eat by thinking of it as fueling your body, not just satisfying your hunger.
A little activity in your routine
Schedule a little light activity (or if you’re up for it, moderate activity) into your regular stops and routine. Interval training (walking or running) allows you to use short distances effectively and burns calories/raises your heart rate. Regular movement will help stimulate circulation and could ease some of the back discomfort you feel after sitting for long periods. Feel comfortable with your fitness level and take baby steps. Any increase in physical activity is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t have to be the 5 km jog right out of the gate (or even at all).
Sleep/work balance
In order to be successful in this business you push the boundaries of what some people would consider normal sleeping patterns. While you should be aiming for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, some days that might not be agreeable with you (and your dispatchers) schedule. Maintain your regular sleep patterns as much as possible, take breaks for sleep when you feel that you need to and make sure when you do take time to rest it is uninterrupted, quality sleep. Rest is so important especially when you’re behind the wheel of large vehicle. Keep you mind clear and reactions sharp by getting the shut eye you need. Regular sleep patterns also contribute to a healthy well balanced life and will make the transition to into home life easier when you’re on your down time. It’s important, prioritize it!
It’s not easy to keep up a new healthier approach to living but the principles behind it are pretty simple. Enjoy your favourite treats in moderation, move around a little and stay in touch with what your body and mind are telling you. Make this the year of fulfilled resolutions. Happy 2016 and happy driving!
