Trucker health and wellness issues do not receive the attention they should.
Too much focus lies with the profitability of trucking and not enough with the well being of the front line workers, the truckers.
Truck drivers have a unique set of health and life style challenges.
The unique set of challenges are due to their truck driving careers, which can take them away from their home base for 12 hours to several weeks at a time, away from the conveniences, comforts and routine schedules of home life.
The transient and unusual lifestyle can take a serious toll on both the physical and mental health of a driver.
Trucker Health and Wellness Challenges
- Long periods of sitting
- can have detrimental physical effects
- Being alone for long periods can lead to depression, anxiety and loneliness
- Excessive job stress can cause insomnia, high blood pressure, insomnia
- Poor eating habits due to lack of choice, high cost and lack of time can cause diabetes, elevated blood pressure, weight gain, stiffness, arthritis and a multitude of other health problems and diseases
- Unrestful sleep and insufficient sleep can lead to daytime drowsiness, high cortisol levels, excessive fatigue
- Insufficient time away from the job – stress, overworked, fatigue
- Overweight due to poor food choices, fast food, lack of exercise
- Develop bad habits out of boredom such as smoking or junk food binges can cause many serious health issues
- Away from family and loved ones can lead to excess worry and anxiety
- Being away from home for long days, long stretches of time and running an unpredictable schedule can be very tough on a relationship and family life