Getting the right amount of sleep on the road is a common challenge for you first-time truck drivers. Your average day isn’t like those of people in other professions, after all. If you haul a load across the country, you have to take breaks when their log books allow. New truckers sometimes struggle with this, since it’s an adjustment from your home lives. Signal Connect wants all truck drivers to stay safe by being well rested. This is why we reached out to our friends in the trucking industry to bring you these sleep tips for truck drivers. These will help you get the rest you need to stay safe on your over-the-road trucking job.
Sleep Tip 1: Improve Your Sleeper Cab
If you’re a long-distance truck driver, chances are good that your rig has a sleeper cab. If you want to maximize your rest periods, it’s best to make that sleeper cab as comfortable as possible. That’s your bedroom when you’re on the road, after all, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t have all the comforts of home. Here are three easy ways to improve the sleeper cab in your big rig:
- Get a mattress topper to make your bed more comfortable.
- Set a cooler temperature in your truck to help you fall asleep easier.
- Sleep on comfortable, supportive pillows. [/two-thirds]
When you take the time to make your sleeper cab as comfortable as possible, you fall asleep quicker and easier each time your head hits the pillow. There’s nothing like a good rest to get rid of that driver fatigue.
Sleep Tip 2: Minimize Light in Your Big Rig
Humans tend to sleep better in the dark then we do in well-lit areas. If your big rig has a lot of windows, you might not be able to achieve total darkness. Just try to make the interior of your cab as dark as possible. Covering any electronic devices is one quick and easy way to do this. If you have to take a nap during the day, use the sun shade on your windshield to help diffuse sunlight into your cab. Eye masks can also help block out light.
Sleep Tip 3: Reduce Sound Inside Your Semi Truck
Noises, in addition to light, can disturb any trucker’s sleep. Earplugs can be a great way to reduce those outside noises. Here are some other tips to avoid the typical sources of noise and vibration that can keep you from getting a good rest:
- Prepare your sleeping sleeper cab ahead of time.
- Consider the environment before choosing a place to park.
- Park as far away from other semi trucks as possible.
- Choose parking places that have minimum outside traffic.
- Adjust your engine’s RPMs to something comfortable. (For truckers who let their rig idle while they sleep.)
Reducing outside noises helps you enjoy a long, uninterrupted speech. That’s exactly what every trucker needs before they get behind the wheel.
Sleep Tip 4: Follow Health Tips for Truckers
Your overall health is a key component to your sleeping habits. Makes sure to keep up with your doctor for regular physical checkups. If you’re having trouble sleeping, consult your doctor about sleep apnea. This condition causes people to wake up many times during the night due to breathing issues. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’re doctor can help you manage this condition. Another thing you should do is follow these fitness tips for truck drivers. A good exercise plan is key to helping anyone stay healthy. This advice takes the unique challenges truckers face into consideration.
Truckers: Enjoy a Good Night’s Sleep
Everyone at Signal Connect wants over-the-road truckers to be well rested. You guys and gals who drive the big rigs help keep America’s economy thriving. Also, you’re driving a semi tractor trailer that weighs about 80,000 empty, and up to 300,000 pounds fully loaded. This makes piloting your rig a tremendous responsibility for you. To do that safely and efficiently, you need to maximized the sleep you get during your breaks. These tips should help on your breaks from hauling loads across the country.
Bonus Tip: Cell Phone Signal Boosters for Big Rigs
While this tip won’t help you stay asleep, it will keep you connected while you’re on the road. Any trucker who’s driven through a cell phone dead zone knows how frustrating this can be. A cell phone signal booster on your big rig will improve cellular connectivity. In turn, this improves your ability to send and receive calls and texts, and download and stream data. If you’re in an area that gives you at least a half of a bar of signal, a cellular phone signal booster will improve it. Best of all, these devices install in your big rig as easily as your CB radio.
Cellular Signal Boosters from Signal Connect
Are you a trucker who would like a cell phone signal booster for your big rig? Signal Connect is here to help you. Our reps have the knowledge and experience needed to help you get the best cell booster. Solid Signal carries a variety of these devices from weBoost and all the other leading brands.. These devices are perfect for big rigs like yours! If you have questions about signal boosters, give us a call at 888-233-7563.
