Maintaining Health and Wellness of a Trucker It is no surprise to the general population that truck drivers have a more difficult life to lead than the rest of the nation. Not only do they have to navigate their journeys, but also their hectic and unhealthy routine. However, it has its starter pack of challenges; to combat that, there are driver wellness programs. The following impacts a trucker’s wellness: • • •
Increased obesity; A longer period of sitting and isolation from social contacts; Unavailability of healthy food and the ability to exercise.
Supporting the Wellbeing of Drivers: An organization from Oklahoma was created due to an increase in reported deaths of truck drivers, high chronic diseases, and labor turnover rates. Thus, to cater to this problem, it aimed to provide quality healthcare by encouraging drivers through health tracking apps and giving them incentives to get their participation.
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Today, many services are available to help truck drivers reach out for physical and emotional support.
1. Start-Ups Extending Their Support: The apps on the play store, like Rolling Stone, give a fitness schedule, including workouts, meals, and suggestions, to the registered users. Fleets and carriers are also motivated to apply for increased participation. 2.
Resource Provision from NGOs: Free-of-cost resources are available on Driving Healthy, the database created by Virginia Tech Transportation that guides users about eating and living healthily.
3.
Truck Stop Unwavering Support: Stay Fit Program, introduced by Travel Centers of America, has constructed trails, regular gyms, and medical facilities for its customers. Not to forget that the inventory stock at truck stops mostly consists of fresh and healthy food.
Change Your Lifestyle into Healthy Habits For trucker wellness, the conventional methods will be of no use here. Thus, some minor changes to fit and adapt into truckers’ life that have multiple daily shifts will largely help improve their lifestyle. Below mentioned are some of the areas that suggest changing;
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1.
Change in Diet: Start this by cutting down your favorite calories that you unknowingly consume daily. Keep a tracking app to note down what you eat or drink on a date. Regulate and improve the areas where you binge eat too much.
2.
Do a Mini Workout: Before starting your engine, try a warm-up exercise or easily attempted steps. No worries, run laps around your truck if you do not have portable equipment to exercise with. Start your pace with warm, high, and cool to build your practice.
3.
Rest well: Make sure you are catching up on your regular required 7-8 hours of sleep. Ensure darkness and white noise to help you sleep better.
4.
Management of Stress: Keep in touch with your loved ones and often visit them after a long trip to make yourself feel better and release dopamine as you communicate with them.
Conclusion: Park your life away from self-destructive habits! For trucker wellness, it is significant that a truck driver is consistent with his healthy lifestyle habits and engages more in driver wellness program as there have been unwavering support from the industry to help them become more physically and mentally fit than ever!
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