Driving 11 hours a day, seven days a week can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Sleep is a very important part of a long haul truck drivers life. Being well rested and alert makes driving a lot more safe for both the trucker and other drivers on the road. Getting enough sleep may sound easier than it seems. Living on the road makes it difficult to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep. In fact, it’s common for truckers to not get 8 hours of sleep due to the 11 hour work shift. To help, we have put together 5 tips to help truckers stay awake while driving.
Take Vitamins
One way truckers can stay awake while driving is by taking vitamins. Not only are vitamins good energy boosters, they have tons of other health benefits too. Vitamin B helps with fatigue, depression, mood boosting, and muscle weakness. Consider adding vitamins to your morning routine
Eat Healthy
An unhealthy diet has a huge impact on one’s overall health. Jennifer Sacheck, PhD says, “Our bodies rely on the energy and nutrients we get from food, so what you eat—and how and when you eat it—can either drain you or sustain you,”. It might be more convenient to stop at a fast food restaurant or truck stop, but constantly eating junk food drains your energy. Check out Quick and Healthy Meals for Truckers for healthy food ideas.
Take a Nap
Before you hit the road, consider taking a short 20 minute nap. Several studies have shown that a quick nap immediately increases alertness and gives a boost in cognitive performance.
Stay Hydrated
Water has many health benefits. One benefit is reducing the chance of being fatigued. Drinking a pint of cold water is a great way to refresh yourself and stay more alert.
Listen To Upbeat Music
Listening to upbeat music will have you tapping your foot, singing along and staying alert in no time. Avoid listening to relaxing music or audio books. Those tend to make drivers more relaxed and sleepy.
Truckers have a very demanding job. In order to deal with the stress and demand, it is very important to get the right amount of sleep. Hopefully these 5 tips will help truckers stay awake while driving.
Do you have any other tips to help truckers stay awake while driving? Leave us a comment below with your suggestions.
