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Charlotte Haye 21st March 2018

4 Habits Of Healthy HGV Drivers

There are no two ways about it, driving an HGV is a demanding job. Despite what it might seem on the surface (just sitting down for long periods), it’s actually a physically and mentally intensive job and one that requires a lot more discipline than your average 9-5. And just like all jobs, there are some drawbacks that take some discipline to manage, particularly when it comes to health. So today, we’ve got 4 habits that can improve the health and wellbeing of any HGV driver on a day to day basis.

Eat A Balanced Diet

It might sound cheesy – but it’s true what they say. You are what you eat. And being on the road all the time doesn’t exactly help you keep up a balanced diet. Many drivers will top up their appetite with sweets, fatty snacks or convenient fast food options from rest stops. And once in a while when you’re in a real rush, there’s no harm in that. But when it becomes a regular thing, the knock-on effects can be very harmful. Long term, you’re looking at an increased risk of obesity, heart problems, back problems and diabetes. So one of the best things you can do for yourself is schedule in times for meals and make sure your meals include a mix of healthier food types. This might mean you start packing meals for on the road, making sure you have healthier snacks like fruit and nuts in your cab, or just choosing the healthier option from the rest stop menu.

Always Keep Water Nearby

Did you know that 75% of the UK population is classified as chronically dehydrated? As a nation, we don’t drink enough even when we have easy access to it, so it’s no surprise that those who aren’t water-cooler-adjacent are also suffering. This one is easy to solve though – simply make sure you have water within reach at all times. Buy yourself a reusable water bottle and make sure it is always filled up and in your cab, so that you can rehydrate yourself anytime. The important bit is water here – not anything fizzy or sugary. Good old-fashioned water will keep you hydrated, aid digestion and wake up your brain, without leaving you feeling bloated or tired in the long run.

Get Into Exercise

Another thing many HGV drivers don’t get enough of is exercise. A large amount of the job is sedentary in that regard, and with long, unconventional hours, it can sometimes be a challenge to fit in some exercise. But fit it in you must – because it’s crucial to maintaining good health and avoiding injury in your day to day work. We don’t mean you’ve got to go and do crunches at the local gym or anything like that. But simply by taking some time in your day to go for a quick jog, lift a few weights, do some press-ups and crunches or even just some good stretching, you’ll find yourself feeling fitter and more alert in no time.

Sleep Enough

Another killer. Tight deadlines and unconventional hours play havoc with sleep schedules. But good quality sleep and rest are absolutely essential to HGV drivers – so much so that there are even regulations around it. A solid, deep night’s sleep is essential for the good running of both your body and mind and you will thank us for it in the long term. You need, on average, six hours of sleep per night – and we mean deep, comfortable and restful sleep. So even if it means having to record your favourite TV show to watch later, make sure you’re getting to bed on time.

At Easy as HGV, we teach all of our trainees the value behind keeping themselves healthy. Learning to be a good HGV driver isn’t just about being good at driving the vehicle (though it does help) – it’s also about being responsible, and understanding how your own life choices could affect your driving. For more information, just get in touch with us today.

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