Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for Arkansas truckers, where long hours and frequent stops can make it difficult to prioritize your well-being. With the right habits and proactive planning, you can stay fit and feel your best while navigating the state’s highways and beyond. Here are four simple Arkansas truckers health tips to help you stay healthy on the job.
1. Choose More Nutrient-Dense Meals
Pack Your Own Meals
Packing your own meals not only saves you time and money, but it also helps you control your food choices. Focus on nutrient-dense meals like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and fiber-rich snacks. These foods will help keep you energized and prevent the sluggish feeling that comes from processed food.
If you’re traveling across Arkansas, you may not always have access to healthy options at every stop. Investing in a cooler for your truck can be a game changer. You can plug it into the accessory port of your vehicle and keep your food fresh. This is a smart choice for long hauls where healthy food options might be scarce.
Dining Out? Choose Wisely
If you need to grab a bite to eat, look for vegetable-packed meals and avoid fried food. Many restaurants in Arkansas now post nutritional information on their websites, helping you make healthier decisions. By focusing on what you should eat more of—rather than what you should avoid—you’ll find it easier to make positive choices.
2. Move Your Body Regularly
Sitting for long hours on the road can lead to weight gain, poor circulation, and other health issues. This is especially true in the trucking industry, where drivers often spend hours at a time behind the wheel. Staying active is a great way to combat these effects.
Simple Ways to Stay Active in Arkansas:
- Take 30-minute walks during rest stops or while waiting for your next load.
- Do bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges outside your truck, especially when you’re parked at a truck stop.
- If you have access to a gym, take advantage of it. Many Arkansas truck stops, such as those in Little Rock or Fort Smith, offer fitness facilities where you can get in a quick workout.
No matter how you do it, moving your body regularly will help you stay healthy and maintain your energy levels during your shifts.
3. Follow Good Hand Hygiene Practices
Even though the world has moved on from the pandemic, hand hygiene remains a key factor in staying healthy, especially when you’re on the road. Truck drivers in Arkansas, who frequently interact with various locations, should make sure they are washing their hands often and thoroughly.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Pay attention to areas such as the tips of your fingers, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Carry hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren’t available, especially when you’re making deliveries or stops in places without easy access to restrooms.
4. Prioritize Quality Sleep
Getting quality sleep is essential for staying alert and healthy while on the road. Many drivers struggle with getting proper rest, but making sleep a priority is one of the most important ways to maintain both physical and mental health.
Here’s how to improve your sleep:
- Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re traveling through Arkansas, take advantage of rest areas and truck stops in cities like Little Rock, Hot Springs, or Texarkana that offer secure, quiet spots for a good night’s sleep.
- Create a dark, quiet environment in your truck. Use earplugs or a white noise machine to block out external noise.
- Avoid caffeine or nicotine at least 5 hours before bedtime to help you fall asleep easier.
- Invest in a comfortable pillow to ensure you get quality rest while you’re parked for the night.
We’re Here to Help You Stay Safe on the Road
While we can’t prepare your meals or guarantee a restful night’s sleep, we can ensure you have the right truck insurance coverage. Whether you’re driving a box truck, dump truck, food truck, or operating a hotshot or tow truck, we work with top-rated carriers to offer you the best rates available.
Get Your Free, Customized Quote Today!
At G&G Independent Insurance, we’re dedicated to helping Arkansas drivers find the perfect coverage for their unique needs. Don’t wait—protect your business and livelihood now. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote, and let our expert team help you secure the best insurance at the best rates.
