Full-time long-haul truckers face many challenges on the road, not least of which is getting adequate rest. Everyone knows by now that driving while you’re tired can be as bad as driving while intoxicated in terms of the loss of focus and slowed reaction time that come with extreme fatigue. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has even released a study indicating that over half of all transportation workers suffer from sleep deprivation.
Truckers who are on a tight budget, a strict schedule or find themselves driving at odd hours of the day or night may find it increasingly difficult to get enough sleep. However, it’s crucially important that every truck driver ensures that they get enough rest, even if that means stopping as soon as you’re groggy and pulling over to the side of the road. For those who don’t want to or can’t afford a motel room, sleeping in their truck cab becomes their main option.
White’s International Trucks is your North Carolina truck dealer, with seven dealerships throughout the state. In order to improve the quality of rest you can get in your truck cab, here are some steps you can take to make sleep come more easily.
1. Park Someplace Quiet
Too much noise can make it impossible to shut down your mind and drift off to dreamland. When you park at a truck stop, try to park as far away from the main centers of activity as you can. You won’t be able to stop other people from making noise, but you can get yourself further away from them to a reasonably quiet space.
2. Block Out Light
Light is a common reason we stay awake. With a cab full of windows, it might be hard to block out all the light, especially if you’re parked at a truck stop with overhead lights or trying to sleep during the day. Using shades or curtains over your windows can help, but the most effective solution to block light is a sleep mask.
3. Get a Mattress Pad
Making the bed or sleeping space in your cab more comfortable will help you fall asleep faster and avoid chronic back pain. It’s likely that any mattress you have is not the highest quality one available and certainly won’t have features like memory foam. Do a little research online to locate a suitable mattress pad that can improve your sleep quality.
4. Keep Your Cab Comfortable
The temperature of your cab can also make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Of course, the weather outside will have a lot to do with how warm or cool it is in your cab, but everyone also has their own personal preferences for how they like to sleep. Investing in a small fan or space heater that you can safely plug in will help you to keep your cab cool or warm as needed.
5. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
You’ve probably already heard some general tips for falling asleep more easily, but we’re going to reiterate them anyway.
- Avoid using screens for an hour before you plan to sleep. Plug in your phone and tablet and leave them at the charger instead of scrolling before you sleep.
- Don’t eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before you rest, longer if you suffer from acid reflux or indigestion. Food and drink in your stomach can make it harder to fall asleep.
- Make sure your cab is locked up tight so you can feel more secure and less anxious.
- Be judicious about the usage of energy drinks to wake yourself up and sleep aids to make yourself doze; these can have residual effects that contribute to feeling tired.
- Invest in a lightweight comforter or blanket and a good-quality pillow that is as firm or soft as you like it to be at home so that you can create a cozy sleep environment.
We hope these tips help you to fall asleep easily in your cab whenever you need some rest on the road. When you’re ready to shop for a new truck, perhaps one with a sleeper cab in it, browse our website to take a look at the wide variety of new and used trucks for sale at our seven North Carolina locations. White’s International Trucks proudly serves all of our North Carolina customers.
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