How Truckers Successfully Keep New Year's Resolutions

The start of a new year is as good of a time as any to try and kick a bad habit or develop a good one. But, like anything worth doing, you're going to have to work for it. Conventional wisdom tells us that it only takes doing something for 21 consecutive days to develop that habit. If only it were that quick! On average, it really takes 66 days. Which still isn't bad, when you consider the long-term benefits of self-improvement.

For truckers, that average can be easily raised or brought down, based on your level of dedication. This is when you can make your career work for you. Think about it: because you spend most of your day alone, you're not exposed to temptations unless you choose to be. That's one upside when you're trying to cut back on sugar or quit smoking. However, it can also be a downside if you're looking to be more active.

Tips for Truckers: How to Stay Fit While On the Road

The list of pros of being a trucker is long: you get paid to take in the beauty of our vast nation, there's no boring office environment, etc. One downside to being a professional truck driver, however, is the potential risk to your health, if you aren't making a conscious effort to take care of yourself. According to a 2014 survey done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 69% of long-haul truckers are obese. In addition, a Gallup-Healthways analysis found that transport workers have the highest risk for chronic health problems of any other occupational group. We at SWTDT want our graduates to not only move on to long and happy careers, but also to have healthy lives. We feel that the latter is key in achieving the former. Below we have outlined some of the best nutrition and fitness tips that are relevant to the trucker lifestyle, but these can also be applied to anyone who travels for work. 

While this health advice was provided to us by an experienced certified personal trainer and weight management specialist, it is not intended to serve as medical advice. As always, consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness routine. 

Tips for Truckers: Last-Minute Tax-Related Stress Management

Are you a truck driver that hasn't yet found time to do your taxes, because your hands have been too busy steering the wheel to fill out forms? Maybe you haven't even been home long enough to sit down and think about getting them done. Instead of letting your stress go into overdrive, keep reading to find out how to survive tax season as a trucker.