When someone embarks on a good-paying career as a truck driver, the working conditions can be different than they anticipated. The idea of having no one looking over your shoulder and the freedom of the open road can feel great. But other aspects can prove challenging. It’s an open secret that 35 percent of newly-mined CDL holders leave trucking jobs during the first 90 days. Lack of restful sleep may be part of the reason. Rather than endure fatigue and lose an otherwise good career, these are tips truckers may want to employ to get a restful sleep.
1: Block Out The Light
Humans are not generally nocturnal creatures and light typically affects sleep. If you are sleeping in a cab, it’s crucial to pull the curtains tight. It may seem extreme, but consider shutting down or taping over any device lights. Even minor beams can negatively affect you. That’s largely because people don’t always sleep with their eyes fully closed. If necessary, purchase a sleeping mask. The relatively modest investment could be worth every penny.
2: Soundproof Your Slumber Space
Even though quality tractors are relatively quiet, truck stops and roadsides are generally noisy places to sleep. The rumbling of other commercial motor vehicles, blaring police and fire sirens, passenger car music, and just people talking outside your rig can be something of a wake-up call. Consider any practical sound insulation that can help reduce noise penetration and invest in a stockpile of foam earplugs.
3: Avoid Mid-Shift Caffeine
We all know that person who claims coffee and energy drinks don’t affect them. If that were true, why in the world would they drink them? We imbibe coffee, tea, and Red Bull because the caffeine — sometimes mixed with sugar — gets our minds and bodies jacked up. Being fully alert at the start of a trucker’s hours-of-service shift can be a terrific asset. Unfortunately, caffeine typically remains active in our bodies for upwards of six hours. Reach for water and healthy beverages after lunch and save the caffeine for the following morning.
4: Late Night Binge-Watching is a No-No
Screen time has an almost insidious influence on our minds and bodies. We sometimes feel relaxed watching a show, movie, or catching up on social media. What device users may not know is that you are receiving blue light. This type of light falsely signals the brain that it’s daytime and tells the body you should be awake and alert. Consider getting off the phone 30-60 minutes before you turn in for the night. This allows your brain and body to realize it’s not time to haul freight.
5: Herbal Sleep Remedies
There are wide-reaching healthy products available that help people get a restful sleep. Non-caffeinated herbal teas have ingredients that reportedly help you relax. Melatonin is an herbal supplement that many swear works effectively. These seemingly non-medicinal options generally require people to relax without distractions for about an hour after ingesting them. It’s also crucial to check with your doctor before taking any supplement to ensure it’s safe for you.
Sources: classiccarriers.com, primeinc.com, aquietrefuge.com
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