Apart from long days, truck drivers have to contend with erratic sleep schedules. Their jobs pay by the amount of work done either in miles, hours, or a percentage of what a load pays. If you want to be a productive and safe driver, you need to stay awake and alert for extended periods of time. Here are three tips that will help you achieve that.
Turn Off Radios
Talk shows, music, and the CB radio can be a source of some good entertainment, but they are also likely to make you feel exhausted faster. Your mind works harder to process every sound. When you constantly stimulate your brain, you become more tired. In addition, the Scientific American says that continuous background noise can lead to increased stress levels. Switch off all radios and drive while listening to the engine’s hum and the sound of the wheels on the highway. You will eventually feel calmer and relaxed.
Turn Radio Back On, Again
The quiet can get boring and tiresome after some time. The engine’s endless hum and tires will relax you, but after a long while they can put you in a trance. Play some music or turn on the CB radio for some time to wake yourself up.
Control Your Emotions
A car just cut you off a few minutes ago. Maybe you even had a confrontation with the dispatcher. Whatever it was, you are angry and brooding over the situation. The frustration will eventually wear you out. Let it go. The same goes for excitement. If you let out a tune at the top of your lungs because you got a great load, you will soon enough need to stop at a rest are for a nap. While carrying out long haul trucking jobs, always keep your emotions in check.
There is no substitute for sleep. The three tips above are just a way of keeping your energy levels high and giving yourself that extra boost whenever you are not as sharp as you should be.
