Taking Care of Yourself Is One More Key to Trucking Success

TruckingOffice Owner-Operator Trucking Success

Achieving trucking success as a self-employed owner/operator means taking care of your equipment, all of it. That includes the one asset that’s more important to you than anything else in the world: your own body. Unfortunately, far too many transportation professionals neglect to give their physical health the maintenance it requires. Not only can this affect your work performance, it can lead to a number of life-threatening illnesses and conditions.

Fortunately, almost anyone can turn over a new leaf when it comes to self-care. In this post, we discuss some tips for doing so. Please remember this post is not meant to take the place of professional medical advice. We urge you to contact your healthcare provider before starting an exercise or diet program.

Trucking Success Tip #1: Give Your Body the Right Fuel

No driver would expect a rig to go very far on a tank filled with contaminated, out-of-date diesel. Using quality fuel is essential to completing a run. By the same token, the food you put in your body will determine how well you make it through each workday. Saturated fat, simple carbs, and other fast-food ingredients may give you a quick pick-me-up. But, to go the distance, you need plenty of lean protein, fresh vegetables, and fiber. So make these nutritious ingredients the foundation of your daily food intake. The effort will more than pay for itself in terms of better health and increased energy.

Trucking Success Tip #2: Take Time for Exercise

We know you’ve heard it a million times or more: “You’ve got to exercise. You’ve got to exercise.” But we’re going to say it one more time because it’s so true: You’ve got to exercise. Of course, we realize that tending to physical fitness needs is challenging when you’re on the road. One way to keep up a reasonable exercise routine away from home is to keep it simple. For example, a daily regimen of push-ups, sit-ups, and deep knee bends can do you a world of good without costing you a penny or requiring a fancy gym. Start with these basics and build up as your abilities and interest grow.

Trucking Success Tip #3: It’s All in the Mind

Taking care of your body is only one part of the equation. You must also do healthful things for your mind. The rigors of the trucking lifestyle can wreak havoc with your mental health, causing loneliness, depression, and stress. You can reduce or even overcome these problems, however, by focusing on the positive. Take time to count your blessings. Listen to a good book or educational program while driving. Cultivate your religious life if you’re a person of faith. Taking these steps can help maximize your happiness, both now and down the road.

We hope these tips for trucking success enable you to live a better life. While you’re on our website, why not take a moment to read about our TruckingOffice transportation software? Our product can help you organize your business, maximize profits, and reduce stress, which are good for mind and body alike. In the meantime, we wish you a happy and prosperous 2017.