The challenge for owner-operators to stay healthy is everywhere, from selecting healthy food on the road to getting enough exercise and sleep.
Sleep: The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults 26 to 64 years old get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night and adults 65 years and older get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Too little sleep effects daytime alertness and performance. Sleep apnea also affects performance. The disorder disrupts breathing during sleep and can cause low blood oxygen levels, which can lead to hypertension, heart disease, as well as mood and memory problems, and increases the risk of drowsy driving. Anyone who snores loudly, has a hard time staying awake and is tired even after they think they got a full night's sleep should consider consulting a doctor.
Diet: Unhealthy eating habits can impact an owner-operator's overall health in a negative way. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion eating healthy foods with appropriate calorie levels and maintaining a healthy weight will dramatically reduce risk of chronic disease. Consuming foods that are low in added sugars, saturated fats and sodium helps keep your diet on track and reduce your risk for disease. Because it's more challenging to make healthy choices on the road, consider planning ahead and cooking healthy meals ahead to take with you on the road or cook in the truck so you're not be faced with high calorie and high fat choices often found at truck stops.
Exercise: Research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that people who are physically active live longer and have lower risks for a variety of diseases and conditions. Fitting exercise into your schedule regularly is important and can help overall health. The CDC recommends adults between the ages of 18 and 64 get at least 2 and a half hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity every week.
According to the CDC, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help:
Control your weight
Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Reduce your risk of some cancers
Strengthen your bones and muscles
Improve your mental health and mood
Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you're an older adult
Increase your chances of living longer
Learn more about these benefits at CDC.gov
*Check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
Health and Fitness are this month's Safety Thursday topics. Join us on the Safety Thursday Conference Call: dial 877-717-5921 August 18, 2016. The call starts at 12 p.m. EST.
Sources:
The Sleep Foundation
The Sleep Foundation: Sleep sisorders, problems
Nutrition.gov
Health.gov
CDC.gov
CDC: Physical Activity
Landstar System Inc. published this content on 18 August 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 18 August 2016 00:40:09 UTC.
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Landstar System, Inc. is a technology-enabled, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering specialized transportation services to a range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees. The Company operates through two segments. Transportation logistics segment provides a range of integrated transportation management solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload, less-than-truckload and other truck transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, United States-Canada and United States-Mexico cross-border, intra-Mexico, intra-Canada, project cargo and customs brokerage. Insurance segment consists of Signature Insurance Company and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. The insurance segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstars Operating Subsidiaries.
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