Follow these handy tips when you get tired on the road.
Probably the hardest part of a trucking career is knowing how to handle spending hours on the road. It can be tough to stay focused and awake once the monotony sets in. And you know how vital it is to your safety and the safety of others on the road for you to stay alert and focused behind the wheel. So here are some handy tips to help you beat exhaustion.
Rest Often
No matter how prepared you are for your next long haul, the best way to help yourself is to get as much rest as you can the night before. A well-rested driver can stay awake for longer on the road and complete a trip with less need for rest. But when you do feel yourself getting tired, you should definitely find a place to pull over and take a power nap. Even a small nap here and there will go a long way to giving you better focus on the road.
Careful with Caffeine
Logically, most people assume that coffee is the perfect secret weapon to fight sleepiness. And although caffeinated drinks, like coffee and soda, can be a big help, they might cause more harm than good in the long run. For long stretches of time, you will need to keep drinking coffee to combat the inevitable caffeine crash. Caffeine consumption can mess up your natural sleep cycle and make it harder for you to get quality rest when you need it. And all of the sugar in coffee and soda is really unhealthy, especially when you rely on it constantly. It’s better to stay hydrated with water and take breaks when you’re tired, and only grab a coffee when you really need it.
Get Moving
The reason why it’s so hard to stay awake behind the wheel is because of how sedentary trucking is. When you are sitting the exact same way for hours on end, it can strain your body and make you more tired. Plus, everyone knows how hypnotic staring at the same road can be. So, when you take a break, it’s good to have time to do some stretches or go for a walk. Just a little bit of exercise is enough to get the blood flowing and help you stay awake.
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Tags: distracted driving, sedentary lifestyle, trucking basics, trucking lifestyle