5 Ways to be a Healthier, Happier Driver in 2016

drivinghealthy.org

Article thanks to The RoadPro Family of Brands and Jim Sweeney. Links provided:

Truck drivers are a stubborn bunch. You have to be to persist through everything the job throws at you.

That’s why setting and keeping New Year’s resolutions ought to be easy. What’s dropping a bad habit compared to fighting through rush hour traffic on Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway?

Last year was full of alarming news about driver health. Truckers don’t live as long as people in other professions; they smoke more; they are more likely to be overweight and have diabetes; and they don’t exercise enough.

This might not all apply to you, but odds are at least some of it does. Let this be the year you do something about fixing it. We offer up five ways to be a happier, healthier driver.   

New Year’s Resolutions

1. Eat healthier – No one’s saying it has to be all kale, all the time, but skip the pizza in favor of the salad bar. Drink water instead of soda. Pack carrots and low-fat dip as a snack instead of chips and dip. You’ll feel better, stay healthier and lose weight.

  

2. Cook in the truck – Dining at truck stops is not only unhealthy; it’s also expensive. With a little planning and some practice with your 12-volt appliances you can make some remarkably good meals in your cab. Road Tested Living is one of many sites that offers recipes, tips and encouragement for in-cab cooking. And if you don’t like cooking in the truck, bringing a cooler full of healthy snacks and beverages is a good idea.

3. Get some exercise — Don’t let your truck be the only thing doing the heavy lifting this year. Exercise will help you lose weight, improve your stamina and look and feel better. If your fleet offers an exercise program, take advantage of it. If not, sites like The Healthy Trucker and LiveStrong.com are full of  exercises you can do in or next to the truck with minimal or no equipment. A growing number of truck stops also offer workout facilities and outdoor tracks or trails.

4. Stop smoking — You’ve heard this before and, chances are, you’ve tried to quit before. Try again. There is nothing else you can do that will be better for you and you will begin to feel the results within days of quitting. There are a lot of places to go for help. See if your employer offers a program. If not, the American Lung Association and other organizations offer advice and encouragement.

5. Stay in touch — When you’re on the road, it’s easy to let your world shrink to your truck, truck stops and terminals. It’s important for your physical and mental well-being to have regular contact with friends and family. Call, Skype, text, chat on Facebook – whatever the medium, but communicate with people every day. Remind yourself of why you’re out there

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