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Sleep Tips for Trucking
With strict deadlines, countless hours stuck in traffic jams, and long days driving, truck drivers often struggle getting enough sleep. When a driver’s sleep is compromised, it can lead to health problems and safety concerns while operating his or her rig. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently named some sleep tips for drivers and ways to avoid consequences of not getting the sleep they require.
Sleep Tips 1: Sleep Location Matters
The environment in which you sleep improves your quality of sleep. Depending on your schedule, your sleep environment may be tricky to control, but here are some sleep tips to improve your environment on the road or at home:
Stay safe. Park in a quiet place, but keep safety in mind.
Close all curtains and truck shades, or use an eye mask if windows cannot be covered.
Keep it quiet. Use earplugs, turn on a “white noise” machine, and silence your phone to minimize outside noises. Unmute important contacts if needed.
Set the temperature for your comfort. Keep the cab or your room at an appropriate temperature for you.
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow. Even consider upgrading to a new mattress if your current one is old or uncomfortable.
Sleep Tips 2: Preparation
Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. When driving, it can be hard to plan for this much sleep, but it is important to plan stops to match the natural sleep times.
Sleep tips of what to avoid before bed:
Heavy meals or spicy food especially within 2-3 hours before going to bed
Alcohol or caffeine – both can cause sleep disturbances
Sleep tips to do before bed:
Nicotine
Light exposure from electronics (television, cell phone, etc.)
Tell others when you are going to sleep and ask them not to disturb you
Get into a relaxing routine that starts about an hour before going to bed to tell your brain it is time to sleep
Sleeping can be difficult for truck drivers. Deadlines have to be met & schedules can be thrown off, but to improve a driver’s health and safety on the road, these sleep tips should be put into practice. Contact Bobtail Insurance Group for more driving tips and safety! Call BIG at 1-833-4-RIG-INS..