Staying healthy and fit is often a challenge for truck drivers. Often, they spend the vast majority of their workday sitting in their vehicle. Additionally, they may have limited chances to exercise or eat healthy meals while on the road. 

In time, the traditional truck driver lifestyle can lead to significant medical issues. Luckily, by offering the right truck driver wellness programs, it’s possible to make a difference in your drivers’ lives. 

If you want to help keep your truck drivers in the best shape possible, here are some truck driver wellness programs that actually work. 

Make Time for Health Checkups

Annual physicals and similar health checkups are often the foundation for wellness success. They help drivers understand their current health state and give physicians a chance to offer guidance or, when needed, proper treatment. 

Not only should you actively encourage drivers to schedule these appointments, but you should also ensure that they have the time needed to attend. Offering straightforward paid time off for medical screenings can be a great start and ensuring they have time in their work schedule to see their physician. 

Create a Simple Stretching Program

Sitting in a truck all day can lead to physical discomfort and even injuries. By creating a simple stretching program designed to work while drivers are on the road, you give them a valuable tool that can improve their health and comfort. 

During a safety meeting, have a professional demonstrate key moves that stretch critical muscle groups. Then, share a copy of the stretching routine, listing each movement with a description of how it should be performed. 

Alternatively, you could have a professional create a short video of the entire program. Then, make that accessible to your drivers by posting it on the company’s internal website, YouTube, or somewhere else they can reach with ease while traveling. 

Establish a Buddy Program

Buddy programs pair drivers up to give them a person to turn to when they are facing challenges. It allows drivers to check up on one another, giving them each a person that they can reach out to whenever the need arises. 

Plus, they can call to see how their fellow driver is doing, giving them a social outlet. As a bonus, they can hold each other accountable for any wellness program goals, increasing the odds that they’ll each participate. 

Offer Incentives in Your Smoking Cessation Program

Smoking and other forms of tobacco use are common among drivers. While offering a free smoking cessation program is a must for a strong foundation, it’s also wise to go beyond that if you want greater participation. 

Consider creating an incentives program to encourage drivers to quit tobacco. Additionally, reward everyone who becomes or remains tobacco-free, including those who have never used tobacco previously. 

By adding the incentive, you give your drivers one more reason to quit. In the end, that gesture may make all of the difference. 

If you’d like to learn more about how you can support truck driver wellness at your company, the team at PTS® can help. Contact us today.