There are some things that have changed drastically over the years in the trucking industry. We relied on cabovers, 42 footers, pay phones, the Rand McNally (hard copy version), wrist watches, and many other things while out on the road. Today, we depend on double bunks, 53 footers, cell phones, GPS, and digital clocks. You depend on these things to do your job, but what do you depend on for your daily strength? Where do turn to keep your sanity? The next time you’re alone, ask yourself what or who it is you are depending on. If you don’t know, give us a call.
For more help, see your doctor or check out our Resource Partners when you click this link or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Stress, is stress, is stress...or is it? Stress is a normal, psychological and physical reaction to positive or negative situations in your life. In itself it's not abnormal or bad. What's important is how you deal with it. In a previous issue, we explained your body's reaction to stress and gave you some tips on how to better manage it. Here is som more information.
Did you know that there are two types of stress? Acute stress is the "in the moment" kind of stress and usually is resolved in a short time. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is the response to emotional pressure suffered for a prolonged period and over which an individual perceives he or she has no control. Here are some examples of causes of stress:
• Major life changes: mariage, divorce, loss of employment, death of a loved one.
• Environmental stresses: we live in a noisy, busy world. You may not be aware of all the sounds around you, but they are there and your body "hears" them. Do you ever notice how quiet it becomes when the power goes off? While you may not be aware of noises in your day-to-day life, if suddenly they are not there, you notice their absence.
• Unexpected events: at work, you may suddenly be asked to do a run that was not planned; or at home, a vehicle breaks down or someone becomes ill.
You may also experience stressors from within yourself. This can include fear, uncertainty, or your own beliefs and opinions. Remember that you can control your own thoughts. It may not be easy, but recognizing and taking the initiative to replace negative thoughts with positive ones helps.
While acute stress passes in a short amount of time, chronic stress lingers and has longer-lasting effects on your body. Chronic stress can result from "in the moment" stressors, but also includes repeated exposure to stressors such as constant driving, ongoing problems in the home, worry about bills, or chronic health problems.
Both acute and chronic stress can be managed by avoiding triggers or through counseling to learn methods of reducing stress. If, however, your stress level is such that you find it difficult to go about your daily routine, you may have developed an adjustment disorder--a type of stress-related mental illness that can adjust your feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Adjustment disorders can occur after sudden life changes such as divorce, death of a loved one, or a move to a new area, and usually resolves within a few months.
Stress that doesn't resolve, or that severly affects your lifestyle may require professional treatment. Schedule an appointment with your docotr; or visit our website at www.DriversWellness.com and click on the link to Lighthouse Network to speak to a professional counselor for help in managing chronic stress.
Remember: stress itself isn't abnormal or bad. It's how you deal with it that matters.
Differences between stress and adjustment disorder:
• Stress: Effects on your body such as headache, muscle tension, chest pain, fatigue, upset stomac, problems sleeping VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your body can be the same but to a greater degree than regular stress.
• Stress: Effects on your mood such as anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability, anger, sadness VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your mood such as sadness, hopelessness, lack of enjoyment, crying spells, nervousness, thoughts of suicide, worry, desperation, trouble sleeping, lack of concentration, feeling overwhelmed.
• Stress: Effects on your behavior such as eating disorders, angry outbursts, drug and alcohol abuse, social withdrawal VS. Adjustment Disorder: Effects on your behavior such as fighting, reckless driving, ignoring bills, avoiding family and friends, poor work performance, missing work, vandalism.
For more help, see your doctor or check out our Resource Partners when you click this link or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Thanksgiving is a time for socializing, reconnecting with friends and family, and, last but not least, enjoying huge traditional family feasts. How can you survive without gaining weight? Following are a few tips to help you enjoy the holiday without the traditional “after-effect” that often glares back at you from the scale. Even following just some of these tips will help:
• Don’t go the table hungry. A light, healthy snack beforehand will prevent overeating at mealtime. Snack on almonds, raisins, raw vegetables and high fiber crackers.
• Remember there will always be leftovers! Don’t treat the meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet that you must consume in one sitting.
• Fill half of your plate with vegetables, one quarter with lean meat, and the rest with a starch of your choice.
• Take small bites of everything to get a taste of the meal, but watch your portion size on the side dishes.
• Be careful with high fat items such as creamy dishes, cheese-filled casseroles, and sugary items such as candied sweet potatoes. There is no need to deny yourself, though; just have a small spoonful.
• Drink plenty of water, and keep caffeine (and alcohol, if you drink it) at a minimum.
• Good choices include turkey breast (even better if you remove the skin), succotash, cranberry sauce, and the veggies in a relish tray. Fill up on these items and eat modestly of the potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and other higher-calorie items.
• Have a small slice of dessert and eat it slowly to enjoy every bite.
Bottom line, avoid overeating and enjoy what you do eat without feeling miserable later!
Some Practical Suggestions
Need help with holiday stress, overeating, and general wellness? You can find such help in one of the following sites. Click on the names below to contact them online.
Lighthouse Network
Holidays can be among the most stressful times of the year. Whether you are missing your family, stressing about a family get-together which includes someone you don’t like, dealing with alcohol, or other stressors, having a professional, non-judgmental listener can help.
Lighthouse Network’s trained counselors are available to help callers navigate life successfully. The staff at Lighthouse Network provides treatment options for mental health and addiction challenges. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a life challenge, which can be aggravated during the holidays, call Lighthouse Network at 1-877-562-2565.
Take Shape For Life
People can gain up to ten pounds over the holidays. Are you concerned that your weight gain may cause you to fail the DOT exam? It is no secret that drivers have difficulty keeping their weight down and all the accompanying health problems in check.
Harry Sensenig, a former trucker, is well aware of the challenges of eating in a healthy way and exercising while on the road. After experiencing first-hand the benefits of the “Take Shape For Life” program, a safe, fairly easy, portable way to get your weight down to an acceptable level, he and his wife, Jodi, have become certified health coaches with the program and can help you “get in shape for life.”
For more help, see your doctor or check out our Resource Partners when you click this link or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Muhammad Ali is one of the world’s greatest fighters. He has won 56 fights (with 37 of those wins by knockout). Another great fighter is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. By the way, Mayweather comes from my home town. Like Ali, he has won many fights (many by knockout). But I want to talk about another fight it seems a lot of us are losing. It’s pornography. I know this is a touchy subject. However, if we think we’re going to win this fight, we have to hit it head on with a strategy that will work. Now I would not only like for us to win this fight, but do so with a knockout punch! If you struggle with this, please call us today. Don’t wait another minute. Click here to comment.
For help in the diagnosis and treatment of a life addiction, see your therapist or check out our Resource Partner, The Lighthouse Network on our Resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
In a previous article, we discussed the signs of sleep apnea—loud snoring, shortness of breath, intermittent periods of not breathing, daytime sleepiness. Here are some of the causes/signs you may suffer of sleep apnea:
• Excess weight: fat deposits around your upper airway may obstruct breathing; however, not everyone who is overweight has sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference: a circumference greater than seventeen inches is associated with increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure: sleep apnea is more common in people with hypertension.
• A narrowed airway: some people have a naturally narrow throat, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, all of which can block the airway.
• Gender: men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea. However, overweight women have an increased risk for this condition, and the risk rises after menopause.
• Age: sleep apnea occurs two to three times more often in adults older than 65.
• Family history: your risk for sleep apnea increases if you have family members who suffer of this condition.
• Alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers usage: They relax the throat muscles and can affect your breathing.
• Smoking: increases the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway; smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.
• Prolonged sitting: studies suggest that long period of daytime sitting can cause fluids to shift from your legs when you recline at night, narrowing airway passages and increasing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
If you believe you have sleep apnea, visit your doctor for a test to determine if that is the cause of your daytime drowsiness. Here are some tips to help you alleviate symptoms until you visit your doctor:
• Try to sleep on your side—this can help your breathing.
• Lose excess weight. Even a slight loss in excess weight may help relieve constriction of your throat.
• Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills, as they relax the muscles in the back of your throat and can interfere with breathing.
• Use a saline nasal spray or Breathe Right® Nasal Strips to help keep your nasal passages open. These medications are generally recommended only for short term use, however.
The best way to deal with sleep apnea is to get a diagnosis from your doctor. The doctor will most likely order a test that monitors your heart, lung, and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movement, and blood oxygen levels, all done while you are sleeping. Once the test has been performed and an assessment made, the doctor may prescribe several options:
• A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which delivers air pressure through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep. The air pressure keeps your upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring.
• An Adjustable Airway Pressure Device automatically adjusts pressure, providing more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale.
• Another option is an oral appliance, a device that opens your throat by bringing your jaw forward, thereby helping to relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Your doctor will determine what device will work best for your particular case.
Getting treatment for sleep apnea can help you avoid many problems, including:
• Cardiovascular problems: sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea can increase your risk of stroke.
• Daytime fatigue: people with sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability.
• Complications with medications and surgery: obstructive sleep apnea is a concern with certain medication and general anesthesia.
• Emotional and mental distress: sleep apnea can be a cause of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings, depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, a frequent need to urinate at night, and impotence.
For help in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, see your doctor or check out out one of our Resource Partners, Sleep Apnea - PPD or The Man In White on our Resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
We live in a real pressure cooker today. Life’s demands are overwhelming and almost impossible to keep up with. As drivers, we have even more stress added to our daily routine than most other careers. Your family needs you even though you are far from home. However, trying to meet those needs long distance is challenging which multiplies your stress level. Can you meet their needs while on the road? Are you meeting their needs at all? There are ways to manage our family’s needs, but we have to make sure that we know the difference between needs and wants. As well as knowing who should be allowed to set them in the first place. Make a list. You can prioritize or divide the list to make sure the needs are taken care of first. Then set a goal to reach the wants later. Don’t confuse the two. Another way to relieve stress when managing the needs of your family is to always look at your glass as half full, not half empty. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Many of us in the trucking industry pride ourselves on being tough. We’re seasoned, street-smart and strong. We can handle anything. So when we’re hurting, what do we do? Suck it up and hit the road, right? Never let anyone see us sweat. And definitely never let anyone see you cry. Cry? Are you kidding? We don’t cry. And even if we do, we wouldn’t admit it anyway. Listen, you and I don’t have time to argue. The fact is sometimes we do cry. And if we never cry at all, then maybe there is something wrong. Maybe we’re denying or burying our emotions because we're afraid we won’t know how to handle the pain. Be strong enough to admit when you’re hurting. Sometimes that starts with tears. When our heart is broken, it usually leaks out our eyes. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
What qualities do you bring to your marriage? What qualities drew you to your spouse? Each of us has good qualities that help make our marriages what they are today. These positive life skills or personality traits range from being a financial provider, managing household needs, being a good communicator, money management skills, to the ability to be funny when faced with difficulties. Sometimes these qualities get forgotten about, ignored or set on the back burner. There is one quality that will not go unseen provided it is shown properly and regularly – LOVE. You could do everything else perfectly, but if you don’t show or tell your spouse regularly that you love them, all the other good qualities you posses won’t do any good. Don’t forget to show or tell your spouse that you love them today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Does what you’re doing really matter? To whom does it matter? Each one of us asks ourselves these questions about our life from time to time. As drivers, it often seems like we’re viewed as just a number. Our company could fill the truck we drive with another driver and life would go on. Almost as if we don’t really matter. Drivers tell me quite often that they wonder why they are out here on the road. They feel like they’re not really accomplishing anything. Truth is you do matter. It takes a team to get the job done. Each of us has different gifts and talents that apply to the team. Each of us plays a particular role in accomplishing the goal. Know your part, and do it well.Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
We have all seen the signs on some roads that don’t allow trucks down them, or a parking lot that says “no trucks allowed.” I remember specifically in Chicago a street I was on that had low bridges on it and trucks were not supposed to be on this road (this was when Rand McNally was the only resource). I knew very quickly I was not on the right road. It is very frustrating to a driver not to have the proper directions to his or her destination. Our lives are the same way. The stress of life can get us off the right path and lead us down to a place we don’t want to be. What do you use as your road map for life? What guides you and your family through the stressful times? How can we help? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.