If you’re a truck driver, chances are at some point you are going to have sleep problems. That’s why it is important to take some tips along to help make sure you get over an erratic trucking schedule and get enough rest while on the road.

When facing an erratic trucking schedule, make the best out of the sleep you have

As a truck driver, you may find yourself working late nights and early mornings so most of the sleep you’re going to get will be inside your truck.

If it is your time to rest or if you have found some extra time and decided to catch some zzz’s, make sure you make the best of it to avoid sleep problems. Take some extra steps to try to make yourself as comfortable as you can so you can get as much undisturbed sleep as possible.

Every truck driver should invest in some earplugs and a face mask, it will do you a big favor when you must overcome an erratic trucking schedule during the day. The earplugs will keep out the loud traffic or dogs barking outside but will not block out the sound of your alarm going off or your partner yelling for you to wake up.

Investing in a good travel pillow will do a truck driver big favors as well. There are inflatable pillows, and pillows that can shrink down to a small size if you’re limited on space but try some out and see which is the most comfortable for you and enables you to get the best sleep.

It will not hurt to put on some relaxing nature sounds in the background to help you fall asleep and fight the erratic trucking schedule.

Make yourself feel safe to avoid sleep problems

Another reason sleep might be difficult for a truck driver to get while on the road is safety. It is not easy to avoid sleep problems if you do not feel comfortable in the environment you are in.

Take some steps that are necessary for you to feel as safe as possible in the environment you will be sleeping in especially if you are parked in an unfamiliar area. It is important for a truck driver to pay attention to all safety concerns.

One idea for making yourself feel safer would be to get covers for your windows that you can put up while parked. One fear of sleeping in your car or truck is having people coming up to your window and looking inside or having nightmares about creepy horror movie characters standing at your window when you open your eyes.

But all these fears are in the back of your mind by covering your windows and not worrying about it. Don’t forget to remove them after you wake up.

If you’re still a bit on the edge and window covers aren’t enough, you can even get motion sensor activated lights or alarms that alert you when someone is getting too close to your car/truck.

This of course will cause interruptions and other sleep problems, but at least you’ll sleep well knowing you won’t sleep through someone messing with you or your stuff.

Control your food and water intake to avoid sleep problems

Having control of what goes in (and out) of your body while spending time on the road is a whole blog on its own but it’s important to see how your food and water intake can affect your sleep problems.

Take some steps such as eating your heaviest meals during the beginning of your day and having healthier meals when you know you’re going to have to be sleeping soon.

If you know you’re going to want to take a nap after you have your lunch, maybe don’t have that double bacon cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and a shake, but maybe have a turkey sandwich or a chicken salad instead. Save the cheeseburger for after you wake up.

Also, try to drink all your liquids well before you know you’re going to have to sleep, and maybe don’t have a large drink with your lunch if you have to nap after.

Getting the right amount of sleep while on the road take some practice, but what you need to do and follow some of these tips to make it easier for you.