Ensure well-being as long-distance drivers with these health tips. Find out why stretching your legs is vital for preventing health problems and staying active on the road.
There’s no doubt about it: being a courier is a fantastic job. It gives you freedom and a flexible schedule, and, depending on the distances you deliver across, you’ll see new parts of the world. Spending a long time on the road does have its downsides, though, and there are a few health tips that you should pay special attention to.
Health Tips for Long Distance Drivers: Prioritize Leg Stretching
#1 Stretch your legs
First and foremost - stretch your legs! This is the most important but frequently overlooked aspect of courier health, regardless of how far you travel. Sitting with your legs immobile for long periods of time can cause all manner of problems ranging from muscle cramps to (in rare cases) deep vein thrombosis and blood clots.
All drivers take breaks, but too many spend their time sitting in the cabin, listening to the radio, or scrolling through a smartphone. Instead, get outside and stroll around for at least 10 minutes. Local couriers might be able to take lengthier breaks, but long-haul truckers should try to stop at as many service stations as possible for a short walk.
#2 Prepare your own food
Service station food is notoriously unhealthy. Packaged food contains high amounts of fat and salt, both of which are bad for long-term health. Weight gain is exacerbated by the essentially sedentary nature of being a courier, so things can quickly spiral into dangerous territory.
Instead of buying service station food, prepare your own healthier meals in advance. This can be as simple as sandwiches, or you can venture into more complicated pasta or meat dishes. Keep meals low in calories and low in salt for a longer, healthier life.
#3 Manage your schedule
This is as much a mental as it is a physical health tip. Delivery driver jobs can come with intense time pressure, leading to stress and anxiety. Rather than cramming your schedule to the brim, look for driver work that won’t cause you undue time pressure.
Draw up a timetable and only accept jobs that you can reasonably finish in a day without rushing. It might seem disappointing to turn work down, but you’ll feel mentally and physically better without the stress. You’ll be less inclined to take risks on the road, too.
#4 Water is key
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things that anybody can do for their health, but it’s even more pertinent when you spend a lot of time on the road. Vehicle cabins are warm, dry places, so you’ll lose moisture as you go.
That leads to dehydration, headaches, and a general feeling of malaise. Always keep a bottle of water handy and top it up at a service station when it’s getting low.
#5 Fit in exercise
Going for a light stroll is an excellent way to maintain blood flow to your legs, but it shouldn't come at the expense of more strenuous exercise. Exercise is important for everyone, and it can be fitted around your timetable.
Schedule some exercise (this might mean visiting a gym, playing a sport, or simply going for a run) before and after your shift ends. That will keep you feeling healthier both physically and mentally.
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