Truck Drivers: Develop Good Posture While You Drive

Everyone knows how important posture is, and from a young age, many people were constantly told to stand up straight. Despite how instilled the importance of a correctly aligned spine may be, it's not always an easy task to maintain good posture, and certain jobs make it harder than others.

It's been quite widely publicised how bad sitting at a desk in front of a computer can be—leading to rounded shoulders and a badly curved spine that leads to back and neck problems. Another type of work where the back is at risk, however, is driving.

Truck drivers, especially, often find themselves spending long periods of time in the driver's seat, which can lead to seriously bad posture. Here are some tips to keep your back and neck healthy.

Use the right seat

Although the seats that come pre-installed in a truck are normally of decent quality, they're not always the best option. Of course, changing the seat comes at a price, but it's one worth paying when you spend so long sitting down.

Ideally, you want a seat that provides plenty of support, with excellent cushioning and full adjustability for personalisation. This will go a very long way towards helping your posture.

Set the position

You might think you have your seat set to the ideal position for you, but there are often improvements you can make. It's also possible that the seat has slowly shifted over time since you last set it. Spend some time trying out small adjustments, and see what's most comfortable for you.

Beat fatigue

One of the enemies of good posture is fatigue. As you begin to grow weary, it's easier for shoulders to slump, for the spine to round outwards and for bad habits to kick in. Of course, one of the most effective ways to deal with tiredness is to rest often. Don't skip any breaks you're supposed to take, and make sure you get out of the truck for a walk whenever you stop.

You could also try installing a suspension seat in your truck. A major cause of fatigue in truck drivers is the harsh vibration that occurs during driving, and these seats minimise those vibrations by absorbing all those bumps in the road and movements of the engine. This, in turn, helps you stay more alert and upright.

Sit actively

When you're concentrating on the road, it's easy to forget to pay attention to how you're sitting. Remind yourself at regular intervals to check your posture, adjust your shoulders and spine and keep yourself properly supported in the seat.