October 5, 2023
Helpful On The Road ItemsRoad trips, moves, vagabonding, there are plenty of reasons that send us for long drives. But no one drives more than a trucker, with their offices being the long and winding roads of the U.S. Working on the road also means living on it sometimes, and certain items you take along can help enhance the experience.
Figuring out what to bring on your next long trip is made easier by a guide categorizing items into those that improve physical and mental health and other unusual things that may not come to mind immediately.
Items That Improve Physical Health On The Road
Personalized Vitamin Packs to Take On The Road
Taking vitamins can be a nuisance, especially when opening countless bottles lined up on your counter to get your daily intake. As we age, giving the body everything it needs to function correctly becomes more challenging but even more critical. If you’re a trucker, getting your vitamin intake on the road is even more complicated. No counter space is available for all the alphabets of vitamins we need. Therefore, having a quick grab pack containing all necessary daily vitamins will do a trucker good.
Many companies offer personalized vitamin packs specially curated for your needs, with the daily necessary doses packed into one quick grab parcel. Take a month’s supply with you on the road and only worry about one box for all your vitamin needs.
On The Road Lumbar Support
Proper lumbar support is essential if you’re sitting behind the wheel for long periods. Look for backrests and pillows that encourage good posture and help prevent truck driver health concerns such as back injuries. Seat cushions and extra pillows on your seat can also help maintain proper posture and height when holding or turning the wheel.
Items That Improve Mental Health On The Road
Improve Mental Health with Hanging Toiletry Bags
Proper hygiene becomes physically and mentally essential when you spend as much time on the road as truckers do. A specialized toiletry bag packed with your must-have hygiene items will help mental health on the road, even when decent bathrooms are not around. With the ability to hang your bag somewhere, you eliminate the need to put it on a dirty surface.
House Plants with Mental and Physical Health Benefits
A house plant isn’t something you would usually put at the top of a “what to bring on the road” list, but consider bringing one on your next trip because it does have its benefits. Indoor plants don’t need direct sunlight and can be contained in a small pot in your truck.
Truckers spend most of their day driving in the bliss of air conditioning, only leaving their trucks for short periods, making it an ideal environment for some houseplants to thrive. Some indoor plants, such as the snake or spider plant, also filter pollution and emissions from the air, meaning they can enhance cabin air quality. Studies show that interaction with indoor plants may help reduce stress and improve mental health, which is vital, especially when working on the road.
Unusual Items That Help On The Road
Helpful Calendars
Calendars have moved from our walls to the palm of our hands, with technology acting as personal secretaries. Although your phone can now house special events, birthdays, and to-do lists, there is still something remarkable and nostalgic about looking at a physical calendar whenever you step into your truck.
Take a vintage route with the original “Big 5” supermodels, your favorite animals, or a celebrity. Choose a calendar theme that fits your taste and will bring a smile whenever a new month and picture approaches.
Bring Toilet Paper On The Road
It might not be the first thing on your mind, but if you’re hitting the road for an extended period, always bring your toilet paper. With gas stations, rest stops, and truck stops abundant in some areas, you would think basics like toilet paper are covered, but we all know what happens when we assume things. Sometimes, nature will call at the worst time with no bathroom in sight, and having toilet paper during these times will prevent you from grabbing the wrong kind of leaf to wipe.
If you’re too embarrassed to carry full rolls of toilet paper with you, there are more discreet options like compressed wipes or themed rolls that take attention away from the situation.
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Other Recommended Readings from our Blog:
Coffee: How to Fulfill your Addiction on the Road
Erratic Trucking Schedule: How to Deal with Sleep Problems as a Truck Driver