FedEx Freight | Any Tips on staying awake?

outofworkjoe

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Have my DOT coming soon,last year my BP was an little high.Need to lay off the super-caffeinated energy drinks,ex, 6hr energy.And yea I do get 6 to7 hrs sleep most days,but around 1 to 3am is an killer for me,No Caffeine it rises my bp,any tips?How do I kept the sandman away?
 
This is not my forum, but I thought I would tell you of my experience. I recently stopped drinking carbonated drinks all together, not only are most of them full of caffeine, but also sugar. When the caffeine and the sugar run out of your system, you crash a lot harder than you would normally.
Try fruit drinks or water, they keep your system clean, it's like running premium in your car and it runs a lot better.
Also, I know it is not always possible, but try to go to sleep early enough that your body can wake up on its own rather than depending on an alarm clock. If you do this and wake up before you would normally need to and feel pretty good, don't go back to sleep you will just wake up groggy and you will be tired all day.
sorry for preaching, that has just been my personal exp.
 
Drink water! Yes, a full gallon/ day. Become more active! Walk, run, move around in any way possible. Eat smaller, leaner meals. Eating every three hours will increase your metabolism and keep you more alert, as well as lowering you BP. Cut back processed processed foods, high in fats and sugars.

Keep your truck ice cold, radio loud and dim the dashboard lights. Stay positive!

I also listen to audiobooks as much as possible. Your local library offers them for free download. A good horror novel has kept me awake on many dark nights!

Or simply keep drinking coffee, then double up on your BP medicine before you physical. :)
 
Excersize is the best thing I have found for increasing energy levels. On the days I go work out in the afternoon before work, I am bouncing off the walls all night. It did make my BP go down as well, it is always around 115 over 75 these days and I still smoke and drink coffee like it is going out of style.
 
On your BP, been told by the company doctor and my personal doctor to lay off caffene products 24 hours before the appointment. My BP runs around 120/78 on average and I'm on medication as well. Also, take your BP medication when you go to bed. I agree with drinking lots of water and laying off the carbonated beverages.

As far as staying up at night, I prefer the dash lights bright, cool cab with plenty of fresh air circulating, even in the winter and listening to my books on tape.
 
I Agree with most everything posted on this thread except the cinnamon thing.
Cut out the caffeine you will sleep better.
Take 1/2 your body weight and convert it to ounces (200lbs would =100 ounces of water) and make a habit of drinking this every day. You will loose weight and feel better (more energy). Even if your not over weight. This from my doc.
Keep the same sleep schedule not only daily but weekly as well.
A good brisk walk before work is huge.
Eating less but more often keeps your metabolism moving faster (more energy).
If you find yourself getting sleepy while driving, try changing your environment. Changing conditions will help keep you alert.
Simply driving with my dome light on makes a huge difference in getting through thous tough times.
Make a habit to keep your head moving. Check your mirrors every couple of seconds and think about what is around you.
If you think about being tired you will be tired, think about something else.
If all else fails stop and take a 15 minute nap. Even if you don't sleep it will help. After which get out and walk around the truck a brisk pace gets the blood moving.
Not everything works the same for every one. I hope you find what works best for you.
 
try sunflower seeds,carry cup to put shells in.old trucker driver passed it to me.it will work.

BP tip !!! Get the Unsalted seeds ! The sodium will run up your BP !

I have read that Cinnamon & peppermint are natural stimulants too !
 
Try drinking green tea. You bring the tea bags with you, hot water in a thermos is free in truckstops. It's high in antioxidants, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and all manner of positive healthy things. If you use tobacco, STOP.
Then when you are really feeling the fatigue, find a safe place to park, and close your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes --- a "power nap." Does wonders, can give you another 100+ miles, and quite possibly save your life.
 
Try drinking green tea. You bring the tea bags with you, hot water in a thermos is free in truckstops. It's high in antioxidants, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and all manner of positive healthy things.

Also it will make you have to p*** in very short order which does wonders to keep you awake with all the dancing you'll be doing in your seat.
 
Also it will make you have to p*** in very short order which does wonders to keep you awake with all the dancing you'll be doing in your seat.

This is true! Sometimes the only thing that keeps me awake is the urge to take a wizz.
 
BOB AND TOM. Yes that's right, I have a vip membership and download their program to my mp3 player, it's tough to fall asleep when you are laughing you ars off.
A good suspense book also helps. Dean Koontz, Stephen King, are 2 great authors who will keep you going.
 
The Power Nap does work, but only for that last part of your trip. After your 1/2 hour nap, Get out and do a walk around to check your doors, tires, release arm etc. and stretch a little too. Also suck on some ice cubes, a toothpick or some mints. I personally came close 3 or more times over the years to nearly running off the highway, medium, and an offramp. My hardest thing about driving is staying awake, because most of my driving is at night. So now I make it a point, not a habit to pull over and take a nap to save my life and someone else.
 
5 hour energy drink works for me.cost 3 bucks,keeps me alert and awake longer than 5 hours,,give it a try you have nothing to lose.hope this helps,i have same problem on the second leg of run,but this works....:clap::clap:
 
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