How to Survive Life on the Roads as a Trucker
No one will ever know what it's like to be a trucker unless they do it. True, you may have heard lots of stories, but it never seems to hit home till you're sitting in a truck parked at a truck stop in the middle of the night wondering if it's going to be worth walking through 3 feet of snow to use the bathroom. Truck driving isn't just a career; it's a lifestyle. If you've been on the job for a week now, you're probably wondering if it gets better. Well, here's how you can survive life on the roads as a truck driver.
Know Your Personal Needs
One of the best tips I could give you to survive on the roads is to talk to your dispatcher about what you need and let them know if you need extra sleep. Some nights you may be parked near some train tracks or heavy machinery. All that noise is going to be loud, and you might not get the sleep you need. Your dispatcher doesn't know what you are thinking or what you need, so if you feel like you need another hour or so of sleep, let them know.
Exercise Daily
Some of you truckers may have laughed or scoffed when you read that heading. You're probably thinking, How am I supposed to workout when I am on the roads all day long, and when I'm not on the roads, I'm too tired to function, let alone workout? I'm not saying it's going to be easy; all I'm saying is it's going to be worth it. To survive life on the roads and not let it overcome you, you need to find time to work on your body.
Exercising helps your mind stay aware and awake, but it also gives you the energy you need to be able to work 11-hour shifts. As you already know, every truck driver is required to take at least a 10-hour break before their next shift, you may feel like you need all 10 hours for rest, but that's because your body isn't used to being active. After you get 8-9 hours of sleep, wake up and go for a mile jog. Then spend the rest of the time doing exercises that build your muscle. You might not start seeing a difference in your energy and appearance until about two weeks, but you won't want to stop when you see it. If you are interested, I've written a previous article about some exercises you can do while you're on the road.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
I know it's hard to eat healthy when all truck stops have unhealthy food options, but that doesn't mean it is impossible. Instead of eating at truck stops, find some restaurants with decent pricing to visit. You might be wondering how in the world you're going to make it to a restaurant when your truck can't even fit on the roads over there. Well, the best part about going to a restaurant is the walk that takes you there. Not only will you be eating healthy foods, but you will also get some exercise while you're at it. And pretty soon a mile walk is going to be super relaxing for your body.
At CTC Trucking we care about our drivers and we want all truck drivers to live the healthiest lives possible. By reading this article you are all set to make healthier choices. If you are interested in becoming a truck driver for a small trucking company CTC Trucking is the place to go. If you have any questions please contact us.
