You’re used to sleeping in your cab, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting quality sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting enough sleep puts you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Winding down for bedtime isn’t easy in our constantly connected culture, but it is essential for our health. These three tips will help you get to sleep sooner and sleep better.
1. Ban bedtime electronics
Bringing your phone to your bunk with you almost guarantees distraction. Resist the temptation to lay in bed playing games or scrolling through social media, and leave your phone out of arms reach. Using a lit screen in a dark setting prevents your brain from adjusting to bedtime, causing you to feel more awake when you should be getting rest, according to the results of a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
2. Improve your environment
Make your bed a place where you’re comfortable. If the noise of the truck stop is keeping you up, consider ear plugs and getting black out curtains to block your windows to keep the sunlight from keeping you up. Darkness acts as a cue for your body telling it when it’s time to rest, says the National Sleep Foundation.
3. Watch what you eat and drink
Drinking sodas or eating sweets close to bedtime can keep you up when you should be going to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation advises cutting back on caffeine and sugar before bedtime to help you sleep.
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