Of all of the things that professional truck drivers have to deal with, sleep may be one of the hardest to manage adequately, and yet it’s one of the most important things to consider when you spend long hours on the road. From custom truck seats to the very place you park your truck when it’s time for you to get some shut-eye, there are a lot of things you can do to try to get the most out of the time you have to sleep.
Healthy Driving Habits
It’s difficult for your body to rest if you are in pain or if you lack any kind of physical activity throughout the day. Consider investing in truck seats that treat your back well so that you don’t have to worry about putting more strain on your back than is necessary while driving. Whenever you get the chance to engage in physical activity, do so. This isn’t even about tiring the body out in preparation for sleep, but helping your body properly circulate the nutrients and chemicals that it needs to keep you healthy.
Lighting for Sleep
Your body regulates its sleep schedule according to the light it is exposed to, but it may not be possible for you to sleep at night and drive only during daylight hours. However, you can still help your body manage light.
- Install blackout curtains. They are thick enough to black out any light from the sun or other vehicles so that your body thinks it’s nighttime.
- Avoid electronic light. Take a break from social media and your cell phone a couple of hours before you climb in the sleeper.
- Use dim lights. If you feel like you need to read before you sleep, use dim lights in the sleeper to prepare your body for rest.
Try to avoid parking in high traffic areas so there isn’t a lot of noise to bother you when you climb out of one of your truck seats and into the sleeper. Remember to be safe: Any time you feel that you are getting tired, pull over and take at least a brief nap.
