There are many aspects of professional driving that can be cited in connection with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which began Sunday. All of us in the industry wish there were more public awareness – and appreciation – of the long hours, safety skills and personal sacrifices that are part of the trucking profession.
One of those personal sacrifices is often health. A sedentary lifestyle and bad diet over many years, common for long-haul drivers, eventually take their toll. For those and related reasons, certain ailments, such as sleep apnea, are more common with truckers.
Overdrive has addressed some of these maladies in a series of two-minute videos. They provide the most basic information on diagnosing these conditions and tips for preventing and treating them.
Another good source for health information of particular interest to truckers can be found at Progressive Insurance’s Trucker Territory online community. The site features in-cab meal recipes, workouts that can be done in and around your truck and more. Additionally, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund has its Rigs Without Cigs tobacco cessation campaign ongoing that helps drivers quit smoking and chewing tobacco. St. Christopher, in partnership with Progressive and others, also offers vouchers to truck drivers for free flu, shingles and pneumonia vaccines.
Overdrive’s video series will run daily through the remainder of Truck Driver Appreciation Week. They were written by Matt Cole and Deanne Winslett and produced as videos by Andrew Guinn.
The first one addresses sleep problems, which you can watch below. Catch the other Better Health videos at this link.
