Driving is a central part of our modern lives, especially in areas where public transport is limited, but spending too much time behind the wheel can take its toll on your body. Driving a lot can increase the risk of being overweight, a common problem among truck drivers who earn their living by driving, and it can also cause ergonomic problems, eye problems and skin damage, among others. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to counter these complaints.

If you drive a lot, whether for work or play, try these five strategies to reduce the impact on your body. You might even find driving much more enjoyable when you make your health a priority.

perfect posture

One of the biggest physical problems caused by driving is poor posture, and there are many elements to the way we drive that contribute to the problem, including the position of the seats and the steering wheel. To improve your posture while driving, be sure to adjust your car seat so that you are a comfortable distance from the steering wheel and pedals.

It is also important to adjust the position of the steering wheel. You'll know you've found the right position when your shoulders move up and down to spin the wheel; in contrast, a steering wheel that is in the wrong position will require you to turn or lean to turn the steering wheel.

Adjusting your seat and steering wheel will primarily improve your upper body alignment, but driving a lot also tends to cause significant lower back pain. Some drivers find that using a seat cushion or lumbar support pillow can reduce lower back pain. And don't try to pull your wallet out of your back pocket before strapping it on. Your wallet can create a bulge, distort the alignment of your hips and injure your lower back. It's a small thing that can make a big difference.

Invest in peace of mind

The health problems associated with driving are not exclusively physical; all that time spent in the car can also improve your mental health. Some drivers experience anxiety about traffic, dangerous conditions like rain and snow, or worry about the aggression of other drivers. If the anxiety gets too severe, you may even find yourself avoiding travel under certain conditions, postponing errands, or having trouble getting your commute — but there are ways to counter these concerns.

One of the best things you can do if you find driving stressful is to invest in some peace of mind. Are you worried about not getting out of your car or having an accident in bad weather? Consider buying an emergency kit with flares, flashlight, jumper cables, water, bandages and other supplies, and make a spare key for your car that you can keep separate from your car. your master key. And don't forget to become a member AAA so that you always have access to professional help in an emergency. All of this can do wonders for your stress level if you find driving to be a source of anxiety.

Snack smarter

Rest stops aren't exactly known for their healthy selections, and many of the snacks designed to be eaten on the go are high in salt, sugar, and fat. So what should you do when you need to eat on the way to a destination? The best option is to prepare healthy snacks before you start driving.

Some delicious and easy-to-eat snacks you can use while driving include almonds, hard-boiled eggs, raw vegetables, and fresh fruit. Whole-grain crackers can also provide a fiber boost that will keep you full longer. When eating on the road, you want to eat low glycemic foods that will fill you up, but won't give you sugar, leaving you drowsy behind the wheel.

Be Sun Aware

Do you wear sunglasses when driving? And the sunscreen? Although many drivers remember to put on their sunglasses to avoid glare and be more comfortable, your skin can actually be exposed to much more sun from driving. A recent evaluation of car windows showed that while cars' front windshields block up to 96 % of UV-A rays, side windows only block about 44 % of these rays. And once you open the window, you have no protection.

Due to this poor protection of the side windows, the doctors find a preponderance of skin cancers, particularly facial skin cancers, and cataracts on the left side of the body, with particularly high numbers among those who drive professionally. You can protect your eyes and skin by wearing sunscreen and sunglasses when driving and by applying tinted coatings to your side windows to block more rays UV-A. You are exposed to the sun a lot more while driving than you might think.

stretch

Finally, when driving, be sure to take regular breaks and try to adapt to certain exercises. There are many exercises you can do while sitting in the car, including stretching your arms up and using the roof as resistance, doing abdominal kicks, and practicing spinal twists using the seat.

Outside the car, you can walk around the rest area, do leg and toe stretches, and even do jumping jacks. It's important to take advantage of these small opportunities for movement to keep your muscles supple, increase your heart rate, and even reduce stress. It's also important to take your eyes off the road and change your gaze distance occasionally to reduce eye strain.

Driving is often unavoidable, but negative health consequences are not inevitable. On the contrary, you just have to put this necessary activity in its place and frame it with good for your habits. If you make an effort to take care of your body by paying attention to your posture, eating healthy snacks, and taking breaks on long trips, driving becomes just another activity. Don't let this get in the way of your health.