03:41
Faizan
A life of long distance delivery work can be exhausting, challenging, and even risky if certain safety concerns are not addressed. You can never have too much advice for staying safe on the roads, so these three top tips should be added to your repertoire.
Proper Blood Flow Promotes Alertness
Truck drivers who are fulfilling long haul delivery work are often at the mercy of physical fatigue - often trying to stay awake as much as possible to meet a delivery deadline. Of course, there are certain very strict regulations in place regarding rest periods, but there are other ways of keeping on top of your game too.
The huge risk posed by tired drivers cannot be overstated and a sleepy driver who's fallen asleep at the wheel has caused many a road accident. Staying alert can be more easily achieved by keeping the blood flowing throughout your body, especially to the brain - and you don't even need special gadgets or complicated workout moves to ensure proper blood flow. When you start feeling sleepy or your eyelids take on a life of their own, find a safe spot to park up for a few minutes. Once you're out of the vehicle perform fifty or so leg squats, or any activity that moves your muscles as this provides a quick burst of blood and oxygen to your brain. Keeping the window open and letting fresh air in can also give you a good jolt.
Stay Entertained
You should always have some kind of music going - it elevates your mood, lowers your stress and helps keep you alert, especially when you're trying to complete long distance delivery work. A little warning, though: choose your music carefully, because playing songs that are too familiar or too soporific can actually lull you to sleep. There are lots of smart phone apps that provide streaming music for free, which can be programmed to 'surprise' you with playlists to fit your mood. It also helps your mood and alertness if you sing along with the music - who's going to hear?
Watch What You Eat
Having a healthy diet is more a long-term strategy than a quick tip, but we're including it in this list because of its importance in staying alert while on the road doing delivery work. The food you eat has a powerful effect on well being - both in the short and long terms. Foods high in sugar, salt and fat (which, unfortunately, are the foodstuffs you usually find at your regular truck stop) can significantly dampen your alertness. Sugar is deceptive - it can provide a quick burst of energy (the so-called "sugar high") but it doesn't last long and in a few minutes - too brief to be useful for a driver on the road - your alertness will not only revert back to a semi-dazed state, but in fact leave you even more tired. The solution is to stop relying on truck stops for your nourishment. Instead, make it a point to bring healthy food with you on the road, including nuts, plenty of fruits, and other vitamin-laden snacks.
Proper Blood Flow Promotes Alertness
Truck drivers who are fulfilling long haul delivery work are often at the mercy of physical fatigue - often trying to stay awake as much as possible to meet a delivery deadline. Of course, there are certain very strict regulations in place regarding rest periods, but there are other ways of keeping on top of your game too.
The huge risk posed by tired drivers cannot be overstated and a sleepy driver who's fallen asleep at the wheel has caused many a road accident. Staying alert can be more easily achieved by keeping the blood flowing throughout your body, especially to the brain - and you don't even need special gadgets or complicated workout moves to ensure proper blood flow. When you start feeling sleepy or your eyelids take on a life of their own, find a safe spot to park up for a few minutes. Once you're out of the vehicle perform fifty or so leg squats, or any activity that moves your muscles as this provides a quick burst of blood and oxygen to your brain. Keeping the window open and letting fresh air in can also give you a good jolt.
Stay Entertained
You should always have some kind of music going - it elevates your mood, lowers your stress and helps keep you alert, especially when you're trying to complete long distance delivery work. A little warning, though: choose your music carefully, because playing songs that are too familiar or too soporific can actually lull you to sleep. There are lots of smart phone apps that provide streaming music for free, which can be programmed to 'surprise' you with playlists to fit your mood. It also helps your mood and alertness if you sing along with the music - who's going to hear?
Watch What You Eat
Having a healthy diet is more a long-term strategy than a quick tip, but we're including it in this list because of its importance in staying alert while on the road doing delivery work. The food you eat has a powerful effect on well being - both in the short and long terms. Foods high in sugar, salt and fat (which, unfortunately, are the foodstuffs you usually find at your regular truck stop) can significantly dampen your alertness. Sugar is deceptive - it can provide a quick burst of energy (the so-called "sugar high") but it doesn't last long and in a few minutes - too brief to be useful for a driver on the road - your alertness will not only revert back to a semi-dazed state, but in fact leave you even more tired. The solution is to stop relying on truck stops for your nourishment. Instead, make it a point to bring healthy food with you on the road, including nuts, plenty of fruits, and other vitamin-laden snacks.
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