Life as a long-haul truck driver makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While truck driving school taught you how to safely operate your rig, it probably didn’t provide many tips on maintaining your overall health while living on the road. It’s possible to make a living driving semi-trucks and still be healthy, though. 

5 Helpful Tips to Maintain Your Health on the Road

1. Eating Healthier

Eating healthy is crucial to your overall health, but it can be difficult having a good diet while on the road. An easy way to ensure you maintain a healthy diet is by prepping your own meals. Craft well-balanced meals that you can store in a portable cooler to heat up when you take a break. In addition to food, keep plenty of water handy to stay hydrated, and supplement your diet with multivitamins to round out your routine.  

2. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night not only makes you a safer driver, but it also contributes to a healthier lifestyle. You were likely taught in truck driving school that your bedding has regulations you have to meet, but you don’t have to do the bare minimum. Purchasing a comfortable mattress and installing a portable heater or fan in your sleeping area helps make falling and staying asleep much more manageable.  

3. Exercise

It’s recommended that you do 20- to 30-minute cardio workouts three to five days a week, which is why you should always keep workout clothes and running shoes in your truck when you are on the road. These can be used for quick workouts when pulled over at a truck stop.

4. Maintain Healthy Relationships

Humans are social creatures, so it’s important to maintain healthy relationships while on the road. Always take some time to call, text, or email your friends and family when you’re stopped on the road to help keep your spirits high.

5. Stay Mentally Healthy

Long hours driving on interstates isn’t mentally stimulating, so find activities that exercise your brain to improve your mental health. Listening to audiobooks instead of the radio will keep your mind focused, and there are also countless brain game applications on your cellphone you can use to improve your mental health while you’re stopped for the night.

 

Even though truck driving school doesn’t cover every aspect of living a healthy life, having a successful career as a long-haul trucker and maintaining your overall well-being don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you’re considering a career in trucking, contact the experts at Great Lakes Truck Driving School in Columbia Station, OH. This truck driving school offers Class A and B CDL, transportation safety, and heavy equipment training classes and will provide you with the skills necessary to live a successful life on the road. Learn more about their programs by calling (440) 236-3436 or visiting them online.