Is Truck Driving Hard On Your Body? 3 Ways to Combat It

Truck Drivers

Aug 10, 2022

If you’re considering going into the long-haul truck driving field, you may wonder, “Is truck driving hard on your body?”

Everyone knows that there are health risks associated with most occupations, and long-haul truck drivers are not exempt. Truck driving requires sitting for hours on end, exposure to various pollutants and elements, countless hours of being alone, and more. 

In short, yes, truck driving can be hard on your body if you do not actively do things to combat it. Thankfully, though, there are many fairly easy things that every truck driver can do to minimize the effects of driving. 

Want to learn more about how you can combat the negative effects of long-haul driving? Keep reading below.

 

Is Truck Driving Hard on Your Body? Here’s What You Can Do to Fight It

 

Is truck driving hard on your body? Well, like most jobs, truck driving comes with a lengthy list of associated risks. The good news is that by implementing several daily habits, you can avoid most of these adverse effects and continue living a normal, healthy life! 

Here are a few ways that truck driving can be hard on your body and some things you can do to combat them:

 

  1. Truck Driving Can Cause Premature Aging on One Side of Your Body

As crazy as it sounds, hours spent on the road can result in the left side of your upper body aging faster than the rest of your body. The sun’s damaging and harmful rays that shine through the driver’s side window can cause your left arm and the left side of your face and neck to age more quickly. 

Glass does a decent job of filtering out UVB rays; however, it doesn’t do much to block UVA rays. Many windshields are treated to protect drivers and passengers from some UVA rays, but side windows usually are not. UVA rays can damage skin cells’ DNA, resulting in premature aging.

 

How to Combat It: Despite being inside your vehicle, drivers who want to avoid this problem should be vigilant about wearing sunscreen (and reapplying!) throughout the day. For additional protection, pair a shade hat and a long-sleeved shirt with your daily SPF.

 

  1. Truck Driving Can Lead to Obesity and Other Health Issues

Did you know that truck drivers are twice as likely to be overweight? Truck driving can take a major toll on your physical health. You are more likely to experience various health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, hypertension, sleep disorders, and more!

Because of a poor diet on the road and the sedentary nature of the industry, a large number of truck drivers are obese. Obesity causes the heart to work overtime as it becomes more challenging to pump blood to every organ throughout the body. 

This condition is also linked to several other chronic health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint problems, depression, cancer, and more.

 

How to Combat It: Thankfully, all the effects of obesity can be avoided if you lose weight before you’re in too deep. Aim to eat a low-calorie diet, heavy in fruits, vegetables, protein, and unrefined carbs, even though the unpredictable schedule of most truckers makes this difficult. 

Additionally, implement an exercise routine three to five days a week for 30 minutes. These sessions can make a world of difference. Take walks, use resistance bands, incorporate weights, and core and functional strength training.

 

  1. Truck Driving Can Be Lonely and Isolating

The job of a truck driver is inherently solitary, which can be extremely lonely for many people in the industry. Studies have confirmed that one of the most common mental health disorders among truck drivers is loneliness.

While the occupation provides security and a unique opportunity to see the United States on someone else’s dime, it can undoubtedly take a huge toll on the driver, their family, their social life, and their overall wellbeing.

 

How to Combat It: The best way to handle loneliness on the road is to keep in touch with those who matter most to you. This might mean investing in smartphone data so you can engage in regular video calls, Bluetooth voice calls, and text messages. It could also mean building relationships with other drivers over the radio.

A few other ways to combat loneliness are keeping a schedule on the road, bringing pictures along for the ride, trying to meet up with other people on your trip, and, if allowed, traveling with your pet. You can learn more here.

 

Want to Ease the Negative Effects of Truck Driving? Get EpicVue!

 

Is truck driving hard on your body? In short, yes. But it doesn’t have to be! By implementing these few things, drivers can combat most of the issues the job brings.

One of the best ways to combat the negative effects of truck driving is by equipping your vehicle with EpicVue, an excellent way to get premium in-cab satellite television right from the comfort of your own truck! Enjoy the comforts of home, regardless of where you are, with satellite TV that lets you stay connected.

With EpicVue, drivers can enjoy their mandatory rest time and watch their favorite shows or catch up on the latest sports events or news while on the road. It offers them a tiny piece of home and familiarity, allowing them an effective way to unwind.

Watching TV throughout a long-haul drive can help counteract feelings of loneliness and isolation, keeping drivers happy and healthy, making them more likely to stay on with your fleet, significantly reducing the tedious and expensive recruitment cycle, and improving retention.

This gesture is meant to create appreciation, loyalty, and commitment between drivers and their fleets. Whether you own your rig or are a part of a fleet, EpicVue is a great addition to your truck. 

The benefits you and your team will experience make EpicVue well worth the investment! With hundreds of premium channels, truck drivers are sure to find something they want to watch, regardless of their unique preferences. Contact our team today to learn more!

Apr 19, 2023

Here’s What Not To Do As a Fleet Manager

Read More

Mar 8, 2023

Your Total Guide to Making Your Long Haul Truck Feel Like Home

Read More

Feb 15, 2023

5 Steps to Developing a Truck Fleet Management Strategy

Read More
Quality truck fleet management with a good strategy is a vital element for success in the trucking industry. These systems are necessary for communication, and processes are sure to succeed. There’s no doubt that the best semi-truck fleet teams are those that are effectively and efficiently managed, making a great fleet manager worth their weight in gold — and then some!  But what is it exactly that makes a fleet manager great? It all comes down to a solid fleet management strategy and reliable semi-fleet processes. In fact, these are essential to finding both short- and long-term success. If you’re in charge of a semi-truck fleet and are looking to build a fail-proof truck fleet management strategy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some tried-and-true tips and tricks for developing a solid plan. With a little hard work and the right strategy, you will surely see increased profits, fleet growth, and a happier, healthier, and more productive crew. Keep scrolling to learn more.

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

If you want to develop a quality truck fleet management strategy, make sure to consider the following:
  1. Invest in a Fleet Management System — You could be the most experienced and focused manager, but you will still have difficulties staying organized and productive without a quality truck fleet management system in place. Managers of old used to rely on elaborate systems involving paper spreadsheets, filing cabinets, and more to run their business, but there are simpler ways to get the job done. Join the digital age by digitizing your workflow and operations; you’ll find that processes are optimized, and your team’s performance is improved! A good system will allow you to keep track of the best routes, maintenance schedules, driver and vehicle efficiency, automating various tasks (such as routing and scheduling deliveries, billing and invoicing, sending jobs to drivers, etc.) and more so you can maximize the potential of your fleet.
  2. Find Ways to Cut Maintenance Costs — It’s no secret that the economy is in an exciting place right now. Inflation is on the rise, and maintenance costs are not exempt. A solid semi-truck fleet manager must prioritize finding ways to reduce costs. Taking a defensive, preventive approach to maintenance is key. Improving fleet efficiency and ensuring that your rigs and necessary equipment are in tip-top shape and ready to go can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues. Consider utilizing a good fleet management system that can tell you about the vehicles’ engines and other diagnostic features to help extend the life of your trucks. These tools can help you quickly identify any problems with your trucks and avoid issues down the road when they become more serious, thus cutting maintenance costs. Another way to reduce maintenance costs is to base your trucks’ service schedule on accurate engine usage hours instead of an arbitrary calendar. This helps to eliminate unnecessary repairs and potential hours and revenue lost, allowing you to make the most of your fleet while still taking great care of them.
  3. Find Ways to Save Money on Fuel — As a fleet manager, it almost always comes down to budget. And one of the biggest portions (we’re talking between 50% and 65%) of overall operating costs is dedicated to fueling costs. As mentioned above, having a good management system and GPS tracking in place can help you develop an excellent management strategy. You’ll be able to monitor your drivers’ driving performance, habits, and behavior and monitor fuel usage, which directly affects fuel consumption. By tracking and analyzing this information, you’ll be alerted to issues sooner than you may have been otherwise. Moreover, tracking this info will keep you apprised of any safety concerns, such as aggressive driving. Addressing these issues will help you reduce operational costs associated with your fuel budget.
  4. Perfect and Optimize Your Drivers’ Routes — Customers and clients demand quick and on-time deliveries, so taking the perfect and optimal route is absolutely crucial. Your business’ reputation counts on it! Inaccurate arrival time estimates, delays, and inefficient routes will only lead to frustration. Hiccups and issues along the way are bound to happen and are an inevitable part of any industry, including trucking. But, by automating customer notifications and other processes, fleet managers can experience a lot less stress, allowing them to spend time and put their focus elsewhere.
  5. Prioritize Your Drivers’ Health and Wellness — One of the biggest parts of developing a good truck fleet management strategy is prioritizing your team’s health and wellness. Feeling isolated on the road comes with being a truck driver; it’s part of the territory. So fleet managers who promote a healthy work-life balance and positive mental health are typically much more successful.

Here are some ways managers can prioritize employees’ health:

Include EpicVue in Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

Developing a truck fleet management strategy is essential to the success of your business, and EpicVue is here to help make it happen. EpicVue will outfit your fleet with premium in-cab television so your drivers can enjoy a bit of home on the road and catch up on their favorite shows. Contact EpicVue today to learn more.