Men’s Health Month Message from Fit to Pass

With June being National Men’s Health Month, Fit to Pass would like to take this opportunity to discuss some of the most common health problems facing men today and some of the ways you can protect yourself from them.

Men’s Health Issues Faced by Drivers

According to Zippia, 84.3% of truck drivers in the US are male, so it’s no surprise that some of the top health issues facing drivers are the same as those facing men in general. Obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are often related and pose a great risk to men who don’t work to get them under control.

With these issues, it’s important to think about them from a holistic perspective – that is, these issues can typically be prevented, managed, or improved to some degree with healthy lifestyle choices. While genetic and environmental factors can contribute to these issues, lifestyle can play a significant role and making a few healthy changes can go a long way to improving your overall health when suffering from one or more of these conditions.

Lifestyle Plays a Role

For instance, consider the lifestyle of a driver. This work sees drivers struggling with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure partly because of the lifestyle that accompanies it. Long hours of sitting with little or no opportunity for movement, limited food options, and a high-stress environment can make it difficult to combat these conditions.

The good news is that there are some concrete and straightforward steps you can take to help manage and prevent these conditions in the long term. Managing your blood pressure can be a great way to focus on your larger goal of healthier living. And, as if you needed more reasons, high blood pressure is one of the most common issues causing drivers to lose their medical certifications. Some of the best ways to reduce blood pressure are also some of the best ways to combat obesity and prevent type-2 diabetes. They include:

• Maintaining a nutrient-rich diet – Avoiding the less healthy options at fast-food restaurants and incorporating necessary vitamins and supplements into your diet can make a big difference. Also, ensure you’re not always ordering the same foods, healthy food is important, and maintain a diverse diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
• Routine exercise – Even when time and movement are restricted, there are ways to get in some healthy activity. Fit to Pass’s own Bob Perry, known in the industry as the Trucker Trainer, has some great tips on driver fitness you can find here and in other blog posts on our site.
• Reduce salt consumption – This one might seem complicated, but at most restaurants, you can ask for things unsalted or unseasoned. Choosing the low-sodium option when possible will help keep your blood pressure in check. Even if you only do it sometimes, occasionally opting for salads, fruit, smoothies, and other naturally low-sodium options over burgers, fries, and other salty snacks will help reduce your sodium intake.
• Consistent, high-quality sleep – This one may be the most difficult to keep up with but is also one of the most important. Sleep is a big deal for drivers, and if you find yourself struggling, it’s worth considering what steps you can take to ensure you’re getting more consistent and high-quality sleep. For example, turn your phone and other electronics off before laying down – try reading a book instead. Meditation and mindfulness practices can be great solutions as well. Changing your routine can help, and it’s worth trying new things to find what suits you.
• Staying adequately hydrated – This might be one of the most effortless changes you can make with the most significant impact! Staying hydrated on the road is vital, and hydration affects many aspects of your overall health. Make sure you have several reusable water bottles that you can fill (and refill) often. Try to drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. You may also consider swapping your coffee, soda, or energy drinks for water more often, as these drinks lead to dehydration.

What Can Carriers Do to Support Drivers’ and Men’s Health?

Drivers can only do so much to manage their health on the road. To be successful, stay healthy, and keep driving, they need support from carriers. Education and resources go a long way. Carriers can offer helpful tools like reusable water bottles, blood pressure monitors, or resistance bands to encourage healthy habits. Competitions and contests are also a great way to motivate people to make changes. For example, promote an exercise or water-drinking contest to keep drivers focused on their healthy ambitions.

Men’s health and trucker health are essential to keep in focus, and with the proper support and knowledge, healthy food, and healthy lifestyle changes are always in reach! In addition, the healthier you are, the more successful and productive you can be in your endeavors.