Knowing how to sleep in a truck is essential to build a career as a truck driver. This doesn’t just mean knowing how to be comfortable sleeping in a truck; it also refers to the hygienic requirements of this kind of arrangement.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the essential knowledge you need about how to sleep in a truck.
Why Getting Quality Sleep is Important
There are many benefits to getting sufficient quality sleep. One of the foremost is that a well-rested driver is more alert and can better handle sudden changes and the need to make snap judgments. According to AAA, approximately 17% of all fatal car crashes between 2017 and 2021 involved a drowsy driver. This is partially because insufficient rest can lead to compromised decision-making. Lack of sleep can significantly impact your ability to think clearly and coordinate. Being awake for 18 hours can impair you as much as having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%.
Obstacles to Getting Quality Sleep
Knowing how to sleep in a truck consists partly of recognizing the obstacles you face and knowing how to deal with them. As a truck driver, you face many unique challenges that most people never have to consider. Some of these challenges may include the following:
The lack of a consistent sleep schedule: Because truck drivers often have to drive through the night and regularly change shifts, it can be difficult for them to establish a routine. As a result, their bodies often have little to no circadian rhythm, making sleep harder.
Insufficient access to basic hygiene and amenities: Many truckers find that truck stops and rest areas may not provide the necessary amenities. Fortunately, it depends greatly on your chosen truck stop or rest area. Some facilities have amenities like showers and other requirements.
The nature of truck stops and rest areas: Truck stops and rest areas for truckers tend to be loud and busy. From the sound of engines running to people talking and the coming and going of truck headlights, it can be really difficult to sleep well in this environment.
Anxiety and stress: The trucking industry can be really stressful, thanks to tight deadlines, the stress of the road, and dealing with traffic. These things can make it hard for a truck driver to unwind at the end of the day.
You can do some things to help mediate some of these obstacles. For instance, you can buy sunscreens to help you block out the intruding headlights. You can also sleep with noise-canceling headphones.
The trick to amenities is to choose the right facility. For example, many of the facilities available on the Truck Parking Club App offer a wide range of amenities.
Tips for Establishing Good Sleeping Habits
There isn’t much to knowing how to sleep in a truck. The real trick lies in establishing healthy sleep habits that help you sleep even when conditions aren’t perfect.
Try to Sleep on a Schedule
One of the most important things is to try to establish a sleeping routine. Whether it’s a holiday, weekday, or weekend, it’s important to establish a routine that you can live with.
Try to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day. Of course, if your shifts change regularly, this might not be easy. However, having some kind of circadian rhythm is better than having none.
It’s also important to establish how much sleep you need. Aim for seven to nine hours, and keep track of the results. When you find several hours that work for you, stick to it.
If you get an option about which shipments you’re driving and which schedule you prefer, try to consistently pick roughly the same time slots. Doing so will allow your body to establish a basic circadian rhythm.
Avoid Drinking Caffeine and Other Stimulants Before Bed
One mistake that people often make is that they overload on stimulants in the time leading up to bedtime. This can make it difficult for their minds and bodies to come to rest when they settle down for the night.
If you want a good night’s sleep, try to avoid any stimulants, including caffeine, in the hours before bed.
How to Sleep in a Truck
Here’s a full list of instructions for how to sleep in a truck.
- Choose the right place to sleep: Sleeping becomes much easier when you pick an appropriate place, especially when the facility offers useful amenities.
- Upgrade your mattress: You’ll be surprised just how much difference a soft mattress can make to your sleep schedule.
- Buy appropriate bedding: You’ll likely never make your sleeper truck truly comfortable. But by customizing your space with decent bedding, like weighted comforters, you can easily make sleeping more comfortable.
- Install sunshades: Investing in window shades to block out sunlight and headlights (depending on your driving shift) can make sleeping easier.
- Block out the noise: Try using noise-canceling headphones, foam earplugs, or a white noise generator to help block out intruding noises.
- Silence your phone completely: Don’t just turn your phone on vibrate; silence it completely. This will help ensure that your sleep is uninterrupted.
- Stay away from technology before bed: Technology can lead to hyperactivity in your mind. Avoid using your phone, tablet, and other technology before bed.
- Have a bedtime routine: Even if you’re unable to sleep at the same time every day, establishing a routine that you practice every day before bed will help signal your body that it’s time to sleep.
Get a Good Night’s Rest with Truck Parking Club
We realize that knowing how to sleep in a truck means very little if you don’t have a good place to park your truck. With the Truck Parking Club website and app, this doesn’t have to be a problem.
Whether you’re looking for a parking area with amenities or just a place to park, Truck Parking Club can help. Register today and get access to many truck parking opportunities that aren’t listed elsewhere.
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein.
