Many drivers don’t want to admit that they’re stressed because they see that admission as a sign of weakness. But commercial driving is a stressful occupation. And there’s no question that stress causes physical effects on the body, including chronic pain and fatigue. Stress day-in and day out means that a commercial driver’s body is in often in a fight-or-flight mode, which releases stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline. And if the stress is continuous, it can lead to burnout and a lack of motivation, which often results in feeling tired even after short periods of driving.

Additionally, people who are overworked and overstressed don’t usually make time for healthy habits, such as diet, exercise and sleep that are required to keep your drivers’ bodies operating at peak performance. If drivers are feeling exhausted, it’s important to look at the workload they’re carrying and lighten it if possible.

But that’s easier said than done. Some of the things we’ve already discussed in our previous Driver Wellness blogs – eat healthy, exercise and stay hydrated – are stress reducers as much as they are good health habits themselves. And as such they promote good quality sleep. But there are other things that can promote good quality sleep as well. Download our e-book: Fighting Driver Fatigue: Top 5 Wellness Strategies to read about these additional quality sleep strategies and share with your drivers.