Staying healthy as a commercial van driver

Spending day after day on the open road can mean it's difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Due to the nomadic lifestyle of a van driver, it's really tricky to strike a balance that keeps your brain and body healthy. Whether you're hiring a van for a quick job or you drive every day, it's important to be mindful of bad habits so you don't fall into them yourself.

Let's face it, long drives often thrive on two things: snacks and coffee! However, when you're on the road most of the day, munching sweets and drinking coffee by the gallon is definitely not recommended. 

We spent some time looking into the small-yet-simple tips that could help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, even when you're in it for the long haul.

Keep that posture in check

Good posture not only affects your physical well-being but also your mental well-being.

Think about it. When you're slumped over the steering wheel, you instantly feel sluggish, lethargic and a little worse for wear.

However, if you sit up and correct your posture, we guarantee you'll instantly feel better. It's like your body is saying "ahh!"

On a serious note, correcting your chair to the perfect seating position is imperative to your health and concentration. Find a position that's not only comfortable for your bum, back and legs, but also keeps the wheel and pedals in easy reach. The last thing you need is to stop every hour because your legs ache – all because you were sitting too far away.

Food to go?

We're not saying all commercial van drivers live off McDonald's and KFC. However, because they're readily accessible at service stations, they can often be the easiest option. The only downfall is that they're not very forgiving on the figure.

If service stations have you and your wallet in a bit of a chokehold, why not opt for a packed lunch? You're in charge of its contents, so you can select healthier options, add in some extra nibbles and perhaps stash a sweet treat for later in the day. It will be kinder to your bank balance and your waistline. 

Is caffeine the answer?

Picture this: it's 2PM. You've had lunch. You've been on the road for almost an hour and, suddenly, that afternoon lull has hit. Our first thought, way too often, is, "I need coffee!"

Although in some cases this may be true, it could also be our bodies crying out for the things it thrives on, such as good old H2O. Believe it or not, most times when you're feeling sluggish or tired, you're actually thirsty.

Our bodies are made up of up to 60% water. So if all you'd drank all day was a coffee followed by a fizzy drink with your lunch, it's no wonder you'd feel the effects of dehydration.

Why not invest in a refillable water bottle? They're very handy and – bonus – are kind to the environment. Alternatively, you could stock up on those large one-litre water bottles you can buy from any local supermarket. When that lull starts to hit, take a big glug and we promise you'll notice the difference.

Take a break – don't have a KitKat

As with most jobs, taking a break as a driver can have a significant impact on your mental state. Sometimes, five minutes of rest is all we need.

If you're starting to feel the effects of the day – and food, music and water aren't cutting it – maybe it's time for some fresh air?

Prioritise setting aside five to 10 minutes to have a break and stretch your legs. If you can stop somewhere where it's possible to go for a short walk outside, even better.

Vitamin D and exercise (no matter how little) are very helpful to productivity and give you that extra boost you need to finish your day in tip-top form. Unfortunately, we can't promise you're going to get the dose of vitamin D you need from our (ahem) stunning British weather. However, a little is better than none at all!

The bottom line

Have you found yourself feeling down in the dumps while driving? Or have you noticed yourself becoming a little more agitated than usual while doing your day-to-day work?

Why not attempt to incorporate some of our handy tips? Sometimes a little really does help a lot.

Tips aside, being a commercial van driver is a fantastic opportunity to see the country we live in – and there's never a dull day when exploring local town centres and country roads. One thing's for sure: you're never short of a story to tell!

Is your van in for a service? Do you need a reliable van to bolster your fleet? Metro Vehicle Hire offers competitively priced van hire in Newcastle, Gateshead and the northeast. Feel free to give us a call today. Our friendly team will be more than happy to help.