Trucker wellness solutions for obesity, mental health, pain management, and more
Between long days and nights on the road, hours of sitting, and being away from home for days or weeks at a time, life in the trucking industry can take a toll on drivers.
Truckers are at an increased risk for a number of conditions, including obesity, chronic pain, and mental health struggles, all of which threaten driver wellness and fleet performance.
We’ll highlight the best trucker wellness solutions to help drivers overcome the job’s health challenges, saving employers money and promoting safety on the roads.
Top 8 Alternative Health Benefits in Trucking
Alternative benefit #1: Pain management therapies
Sitting for hours on end, as truck drivers do, can have long-term negative consequences. For many drivers, back pain, joint stiffness, and muscle tension come with the territory.
While over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can help, many drivers find lasting relief in alternative therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. These treatments can help reduce inflammation and promote circulation for natural pain relief and improved mobility.
Alternative benefit #2: Sleep improvement resources
Sleep apnea (link to one of the OSA posts) and insomnia are common among truckers, triggered by irregular sleep schedules, stress, and the nontraditional sleep environment of the truck cab. Obesity, which is prevalent in truck drivers, also increases sleep apnea risk.
Sleep improvement programs can mitigate and even resolve sleep issues.
Remote sleep testing done from the truck can diagnose sleep apnea and get drivers on an effective treatment plan quicker, like using a CPAP machine.
Additionally, mobile apps put sleep hygiene information at drivers’ fingertips so they can make behavioral changes that promote better shut-eye. On-demand access to specialists through a telehealth platform allows drivers to get professional advice on their sleep difficulties.
By investing in sleep benefits for your truck drivers, employers can prevent more serious driver health problems and fatigue-related accidents.
Alternative benefit #3: Virtual fitness services
The typical trucker lifestyle doesn’t leave room for gym memberships or consistent workout times. As a result, we see a much higher rate of obesity and obesity-related illnesses in long-haul truckers than the average population. Sixty-eight percent of truck drivers are obese–twice the prevalence for all Americans.
With virtual fitness classes held live or via on-demand playback, drivers can improve their cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and maintain mobility from their truck or at a rest stop. Personal training benefits go a step further, giving drivers one-on-one guidance to build effective routines customized for their unique lifestyle.
Alternative benefit #4: Virtual medical weight loss
Medical weight loss is a viable and increasingly popular way for drivers to reach a healthy weight and reap the benefits that come with it, like a lower risk for chronic illness. Losing weight can also lead to higher energy levels, helping drivers improve their focus on the road.
Prescription weight loss medications like GLP-1s help regulate appetite and control blood sugar. Giving drivers online access to these solutions puts sustainable weight loss within reach.
Alternative benefit #5: Nutrition coaching
Eating healthy on the road isn’t easy; fast food and gas station snacks are often staples for truckers. Poor nutrition and irregular meal schedules can contribute to health issues like obesity and diabetes.
Fleet managers can invest in telehealth programs to enable better eating with on-demand nutrition coaching. Through virtual consultations, drivers can get personalized guidance on meal planning, portion control, and creative on-the-road food options from a professional nutritionist. Some nutritionists even specialize in working with truckers and can share what’s worked best for other drivers.
Alternative benefit #6: Therapy
In their long stretches away from home, drivers can face loneliness, social isolation, and chronic stress. These factors can manifest in the form of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Though they’re common among truck drivers, mental health challenges aren’t always easy to talk about.
Offering access to therapy through employee assistance programs (EAPs) or telemedicine platforms can relieve the burden. Teletherapy services allow drivers to connect with licensed professionals from anywhere, including the cab of their truck.
The ease of access works with truckers’ uncertain schedules while making it practical to speak with different therapists until they find one that’s a good fit. The confidentiality available through programs like text-based therapy can encourage drivers to share about issues they might not feel comfortable discussing face to face with their regular provider.
Alternative benefit #7: Meditation apps
Mindfulness isn’t just a social media buzzword. It’s a proven method to manage stress, improve mental health, and even help facilitate behavioral changes like quitting smoking.
With employer-sponsored access to a meditation app, drivers have easy access to stress relief anytime, anywhere. With a few taps, they can access guided meditations for better breathing, improved mental focus, staying calm under pressure, falling asleep easily, and more.
Alternative benefit #8: smoking cessation
About half of all truckers smoke. Though some drivers use nicotine as a tool to stay awake or relieve boredom, it’s linked to a host of serious health conditions from lung cancer to stroke.
Thankfully, there are a wide range of smoking cessation programs that can help drivers quit, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), prescription medications, virtual behavioral coaching, and online support groups. Offering multiple options allows drivers to pick the one that suits their preferences and increases their chances of kicking the habit.
Support truck driver wellness with Agile Telehealth
To avoid staffing struggles and missed deadlines due to attrition and sick leave, fleet managers need a proactive strategy that addresses drivers’ health challenges.
Alternative health programs give employees holistic, flexible options that complement traditional medicine. For truck drivers, modern services like telehealth and app-based treatment align with their shifting schedule and on-the-road lifestyle.
Agile Telehealth helps trucking employers offer on-demand wellness services like weight loss support, mental health care, and urgent care at no cost to the organization.
Help drivers get the care they need, when they need it, wherever they are. Want to learn more about how you can get access to Agile Teleheath’s wellness offerings for your fleet? Contact us today!
