Staying awake on the job is a critical park of being a safe driver.
Truck driving can be a long, arduous job with very long days and an erratic sleep schedule. For drivers, it’s critical that they stay awake and alert in order to be a safe, productive driver. Here are a few tips for staying awake for long periods of time.
Avoid High Contrast Lights at Night
Did you know that the stark contrast between bright lights and pitch black actually makes your eyes feel sleepy? Driving with soft red lights in the interior of your truck can help, as blue lights will induce sleep faster than red. Turn dashboards down to just enough where you can see the gauges, and try your best never to look at oncoming headlights but off to the side instead.
Don’t Let Yourself Get Too Exhausted
It’s incredibly dangerous to push yourself when you’re already tired. You need sleep! You also shouldn’t wait until you’re totally exhausted to get some rest, as you will not recover as well as if you take frequent naps or go to bed sooner. The more exhausted you are when you finally get some sleep, the less quality rest you’re going to receive.
Turn The Temperature Down
You might think you sleep better in the dead of winter, but that’s only because you wrap yourself in a thousand blankets. We sleep better when we’re warm and comfortable, which is why you should keep your truck at a chillier temperature. You don’t have to freeze to death, just enough to stay a little more alert.
Avoid Lots of Caffeine
You’re probably thinking, but I can’t get through the day without it! Overloading on caffeine might help for a little while, but it has the unfortunate side effect of a crash. After all, what goes up must come down. Sip on your coffee, but don’t go crazy with cup after cup.
Avoid Large Portions of Food
If you’ve ever experienced the “Great Thanksgiving Sleep” before, you might be thinking that there’s something in Turkey that causes us to get sleepy. The truth is that a full belly makes us tired, so eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day will help you feel better. The body responds well to small meals and snacks.
Get Some Exercise
If the first thing you do when you get to a stop is hit the bathroom or the cafeteria, you’re not getting any real exercise that will get your heart and lungs pumping. You’d be amazed at how much of a difference a simple five minute walk at a rest stop can make to your next few hours of drive time. The body isn’t built to be static for hours on end. Get the blood flowing again!
For All Your Trucking Needs
Follow us here at Evan Transportation to get more updates on driving tips and the trucking industry. Evan Transportation provides trucking and transportation services for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. All of our drivers and staff are offered competitive salaries, benefits, and are guaranteed to be home every day. Interested in finding out more? Visit us online or give us a call at 443-673-3365. For even more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+. 1
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