Pace recently had an informative and educational conversation with Dr. Mark Manera, Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of OffShift, a business dedicated to improving the healthy habits of everyone employed in the logistics industry, with a special focus on driver health. Offshift works with transportation companies across the United States to help their employees get better engaged with their health, which improves healthcare costs and workers comp claims.
Workplace Wellness and Safety
Maintaining good health is especially important for drivers challenged daily with physically demanding tasks and long hours on the road. Workplace safety and road safety is the number one priority at Pace, and our independent contractor drivers and warehouse employees strive to mitigate risk wherever possible. Our Safety page and recent blog post, 5 Tips to Improve Efficiency, Safety, and Customer Satisfaction, are great places to learn more about Pace’s investment in workplace wellness, driver safety, and risk management. One proven tactic to reduce the risk of injury on the job is by being in better physical condition, which helps to increase productivity while safely moving and delivering a wide range of goods.
Preventative Care with Offshift’s Custom Health Plans
Dr. Manera’s team at Offshift creates custom health plans for each member focused on preventative care, trying to get ahead of any musculoskeletal injuries that can happen if the body is regularly neglected. He suggests focusing on two things to start:
- Be time efficient, (because often the biggest barrier to making healthy changes is a lack of time)
- Make small but important changes in daily diet and routine
“We can often surprise people by showing them how small changes can make a real difference”, said Dr. Manera. “Choosing to drink water instead of soda, to eat low-salt nuts instead of chips, and to go for a daily walk, can all have a dramatic impact on an individual’s health.”
“86% of healthcare costs are associated with chronic diseases, so we aim to help manage or prevent those outcomes.”
– Dr. Mark Manera, Offshift
Building Healthy Habits for Driver Health
Convenience stores and truck stops offer many bad food choices like empty-calorie snacks full of salt and added sugars, but there are some good options to be had as well. There just needs to be a clear understanding of why the diet and exercise choices made every day are important. Improving blood sugar levels, lowering blood pressure, and losing fat all contribute to less pain, more energy, greater alertness and flexibility, and a better quality of life with your family when not at work.
The goal is to set up a pattern of behavior and nutritional choices for a lifetime, not just as a temporary weight loss plan for 30 days. Here are a few healthy habit suggestions to keep top of mind, especially for transportation professionals and delivery drivers:
- Stay Hydrated – drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Healthy Snacks – pack nutritious snacks such as fruit, nuts, and protein bars
- Regular Breaks – take breaks every two hours to stretch and walk around
- Ergonomic Seating – adjust the seat and use lumbar support if necessary
- Eye Care – use sunglasses to protect from UV light and glare
- Exercise and Stretching – incorporate it into your daily routine such as when you’re fueling or waiting at a customer location
- Lifting – use proper lifting techniques or assistance to avoid back injuries
- Footwear – choose good support, cushioning and protection
- Sleep – healthy sleep habits are important for overall health and alert behavior
- Check-Ups – stay current with regular health check-ups from your healthcare provider and be consistent with any meds
By incorporating these and other healthy habits into daily routines, drivers and logistics professionals in all areas of the delivery industry can improve their overall well-being and performance on the job, while reducing the associated health risks.
