How to not be tired after long trips?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Canadianhauler21, Jul 18, 2020.

  1. Kirbs

    Kirbs Light Load Member

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    Yes, I usually take an hour nap on my 30 minute break after 4-5 hrs of driving. Sometimes 2hrs depending on the appointment time.

    Then again even before getting into trucking, I was working 12hr shifts for years so it was easy to adjust
     
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  3. Razorwyr

    Razorwyr Road Train Member

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    If you can, run split sleepers.

    5 1/2 hours driving, 2 hour break (hour and a half nap), 5 1/2 hours driving 8 hour break, 5 1/2 hours driving, 2 hour break (nap), 5 1/2 hours driving, etc etc etc.....

    It saves you 30 mins a day as well
     
  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Mental fatigue. It comes from having to concentrate for so long.
    Ever see a cop pull behind a motorist and follow him and the motorist pops a fuse, starts wavering in traffic, can't maintain speed, almost wipes out because of the mental strain? Yes, we've seen it before. Dick move, right? Even a drunk can fly right for a minute or so, but mental concentration for extended periods feels lethal and the brain wants to shut down.

    Some of the posters have recommended podcasts and music. Not a bad recommendation, but is there any other thing that you could do? What happens if you don't have any music? Can you still function? Some people can't. Then again, some people cannot function without guzzling coffee. Does the brain shut down when it doesn't have any sort of external stimulus?

    I learned meditation decades ago while in the gym preparing for the next set. No music. Just empty the mind and focus everything on breathing. You can program the mind and body to accomplish your goals or make the changes to become the ultimate version of you. And so, driving for 11 hours straight becomes quite easy when you master self. You can improve self and improve your craft at the same time. But be warned, self improvement is an eternal journey.

    Luck in battle.
     
  5. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    I live the same schedule no matter what although it drives my wife nuts at times, I tend to be up doing what I'm going to be doing between midnight and about 1630. By keeping to the same schedule it seems to help me.
     
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  6. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    As mentioned; watch your diet, don't eat too much, drink mostly water (avoid the crash from carbs, sugar, stimulants like coffee), reduce noise as much as possible (I drove with ear plugs), alternate your environment (music, podcasts, audible books, radio, etc.), but make it comfortable (not too hot, not too cold, either one induces fatigue), stop reasonably frequently (~3 hours) for a brief 15-20 minute exercise break, get as much exercise as you can otherwise (go for walks, etc.), SLEEP when you're supposed to sleep (stay off screens: phone, computer, TV, read a book/magazine instead for a bit--then lights out), take a nap if you can (doesn't work for everyone, but I can take a 15-20 minute nap in the middle of the day with no alarm and when I wake up I'm as good as if I had several hours), NO load is worth your health/life and unless you're hotshotting a heart in a cooler to a waiting recipient... it can wait.
     
  7. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    A co-driver in your cigarette pack...lol

     
  8. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    You know, some trips kill you, some trips just fly by. I remember (long, long time ago, statue of limitations long passed), doing a 22 hr run from Northern Cali to Calgary, solo, overnight. After unloading, wide awake, so drove home, another 11 hrs. Next trip, same thing, except slept for 12 hrs after getting there. And barely made it home without going down another time. I guess the moral of the story is drive when you can, sleep when you must. Repeat. You do get conditioned to it pretty quickly.
     
  9. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    I did that almost every week; leave Calgary very late Saturday/early Sunday for Monday AM delivery in L.A., do my picks, sleep, drive home. Variations on the theme; Yuma, Calexico, Nogales, etc.

    But it's dumb... for a lot of reasons.
     
  10. Canadianhauler21

    Canadianhauler21 Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks for all the replies so far, I have been eating quite a bit of junk food lately so I'll scale that back. Probably need more exercise as well. I try to only drink coffee when I really need it like maybe 2-3 times a week.
     
  11. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    I was doing the mid afternoon naps when I first started but found it kinda dragged my day out into the night, though I still enjoyed them.

    A lot of times I would get moving in the morning
    After my clock was good but I only had 5 hours sleep because I was playing Leap Frog and playing with my Hose on my 10 at the dairies all night.

    Get 3 hours down the road than stop and fuel up catch a shower and make a nice late breakfast than jump in the Hay for 2 hours.

    I had to drive late into the night than but it Worked for me.

    I never had One set Schedule. I just went with the Wave and didn’t get shook up about traffic / appointment times/ or loading unloading delays.

    Dairy hauling is all screwed up delivery times with appointments being rarely met on either side.

    It is what it is . Try your best , drive alert and safe .

    Keep dispatch Informed.
     
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