Reasons to Get Enough Sleep

Posted in The Healthy Trucker, Trucker Lifestyle by Brian ·  

The commercial transport industry is one that never really stops.  Although the time clock may show an office closed for business, truck drivers drive at all hours of the day and night to be sure to get their loads to where they’re going.  Despite having great reasons to get enough sleep, truck drivers are often physically, emotionally, and mentally tired.

Unfortunately a driver’s desire to get their job done by pushing themselves to the point of sheer exhaustion isn’t uncommon.  In fact, statistics state that nearly two-thirds of all fatigue-related accidents can be attributed to truck drivers that should have gotten off the road.

Is it that truck drivers don’t care about the risks they face when they get behind the wheel while tired?  Of course not!  Truck drivers know the risks and the dangers, but they may also feel pressured to make their run no matter how they feel especially if they have bills to pay and a family to provide for.

Some sleep experts feel that driving while sleepy or fatigued is as dangerous as driving while under the influence.  In fact, remaining awake for 18 hours or more produces the same level of impairment as a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .05.  If you stay up over 24 hours, the impairment is the same as .10 BAC.  Anyone with a BAC of .08 is considered to be legally drunk and would be taken off the road.

What can you, as a truck driver, do?  Start by realizing that the human body needs a minimum amount of sleep in order to function properly.  You may not need eight hours of sleep a night, but it’s rare that a person needs less than six.  If you push yourself too far by forcing yourself to remain awake, either through artificial means or pushing through sleepiness, your body will eventually get to a point that sleep can’t be put off any longer.

Try to get as close to eight hours of sleep a night if possible.  If not, when you start getting fatigued, pull your truck off the road and take a nap of no more than 45 minutes.  Even a 15-30 minute break can make a difference in the amount of fatigue you deal with, and that short break shouldn’t keep you from arriving at your destination on time.

Another way to fight fatigue is to drink plenty of water.  If you’re dehydrated your body will slow down.  Stay away from too much caffeine.  Drinking more than two cups of coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks doesn’t help you remain awake any better. 

Eat foods such as fresh fruits and whole grain breads to give your body the energy it needs.  Don’t skip meals because it will cause your blood sugar levels to fall.  Overeating will drain your energy, so eat six small meals instead to keep your blood sugar levels in check. 

If you find yourself getting sleepy but really can’t afford to take the time for a nap, pull into a truck stop, and stretch your legs.  Physical activity can help wake you up and will probably take less time than it would for a nap.  Besides helping you stay awake, being physically active could also help with blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

We all know the many reasons to get enough sleep at night.  When it’s not possible to get the recommended eight hours, recognize when you’re getting tired and use one of the ideas above to help stay awake.

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