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Sleep is The Answer to Everything

Posted in Blog, News  
Monday, March 27, 2017

Sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Getting enough sleep is just as important to your health as proper nutrition and exercise. Truck drivers have long hours behind the wheel, and sleep may not always seem like your first priority, but here is why it should be.

Sleep goes way beyond boosting your mood. During sleep, your body is able to rest and recharge. It is needed to repair and heal your brain and body. In fact, studies show that sleep deficiency is linked to heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions.

The amount of sleep your body needs every day varies based on age, but for adults, The National Sleep Foundation suggests 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Regulations have even been put into effect to ensure truck drivers specifically are getting enough sleep. There are federal laws that limit how long a truck can be on the road for at one time in recent efforts to reduce truck driver accidents due to fatigue. To find out more information on these laws, click here.

Truck driving is a demanding job, and lack of sleep will only make those demands even harder to accomplish. Here are a few tips to make sure you are getting the sleep that you need:

  • Block out the sun. Light irritates those trying to sleep and makes it difficult to reach the needed point in sleep where the body recharges.
  • Get off to the side of the road. Traffic vibrates the truck and makes a peaceful sleep difficult to achieve. Rest stops and truck stops are the most common places to find peace during a long trip.
  • Keep your surroundings quiet. Noise will prevent you from sleeping, whether it is people talking or the noise of passing cars. Try to find a quiet spot if possible, or bring along a pair of ear plugs.
  • Plan ahead. Where it is possible, try to plan ahead where you will stop for sleep, and even a few back up places in case those are full.