Decker PodcastHow Physical Fitness Helps Drivers Combat Mental Health Issues
Mobility is vital to truck drivers. As a driver, if your mobility is compromised you not only will struggle with getting in and out of the truck but also performing the required pre-trip and post-trip inspections, throwing and securing tarps, washing out trailers, adjusting the fifth wheel, backing into a dock, putting chains on, just to name a few physical demands.
Improving Overall Fitness Health
1. What are your fitness goals?
Ask yourself why are you being active. Maybe you want to lose weight, sleep better, increase your energy, gain strength, add muscle tone and flexibility, or just feel good.
2. Find an activity you enjoy
You are more likely to stay consistent if you enjoy the activity. Variety is key, if you get bored with one activity, try a different one.
3. Get Support
Check out our Facebook Group Driven for support from others here at Decker. https://www.facebook.com/groups/792510244651418
Whatever your age or ability, any activity is better than none. Aim for moderate-intensity activity. Moderate activity will raise your heart rate and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. 75 minutes of vigorous activity is comparable to 150 minutes of moderate exercise.
- At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week such as walking, dancing, or even pushing a lawnmower
- Muscle-strengthening exercises 2 or more days a week – for example, digging, carrying groceries, step aerobics, hand-held weight exercises, and yoga
- Even daily chores such as shopping, cooking, or pre-trips and post-trips to break up periods of sitting
Meditation helps us to become present, observe our thoughts and feelings, and befriend them. Meditating on a regular basis will lead to increased awareness of stress and anxiety. Breathing exercises can impact your nervous system, especially your heart, and is directly correlated to all parts of your emotional and physical well-being. Yoga is the union of mind, body, and spirit. Hatha yoga can help us to increase mental clarity and flexibility.
Recognize and React
By increasing one’s ability to be present, mindful people can notice what is happening in their lives and adjust if necessary. When a situation occurs which requires changed behavior, mindfulness allows one to recognize the change that needs to take place instead of being surprised by it.
Ways to increase mindfulness are :
Prayer: Praying can be a great way to increase one’s awareness of what is going on in their life.
Meditation: Meditation helps us to become present, observe our thoughts and feelings, and befriend them. Meditating on a regular basis will lead to increased awareness of stress and anxiety. Breathing exercises can impact your nervous system, especially your heart and is directly correlated to all parts of your emotional and physical well-being.
Hiking: Hiking helps us to reduce stress by stepping away from technology, giving us time to reflect on our lives and the world around us, and gaining a greater appreciation for nature. Meditation while hiking allows one to be present and observe their thoughts while hiking. This is an effective way to put one’s stressful thoughts on hold so they do not consume them, leading them to a path of self-discovery.
Mental Health Resources:
