4 Healthy Ways To Boost Your Energy When You’re On The Road

September 03, 2016
by Tony Barber
4 Healthy Ways To Boost Your Energy When You’re On The Road

Staying healthy might seem tough when you spend so much time on the road. You don’t exactly have time to hit the gym. But good health can keep your energy levels up. And as any driver knows, that’s critical when you’re behind the wheel.

It’s tempting to turn to quick fixes like caffeine. But there are some better options that you can use with an “on-the-road” lifestyle. Here are 4 healthy ways to boost your energy.

1. Keep Your Stress Levels In Check.

Too much stress can drain your internal battery fast, according to a report by Harvard Medical School. And it can lead to fatigue, adds the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

How do you kick your stress? Figure out what’s causing it. Then, you can find ways to lighten the mental load, the Harvard Medical School report explains.

Sometimes, this means mending broken relationships, th NLM. Talk to someone, whether it’s a loved one or a licensed therapist. This can go a long way toward lowering your stress. It can give you your energy back.

Other times, reducing stress means knowing when your body and mind have reached their limits. Overwork is a huge contributor to fatigue. It might even be happening when you’re off the road, at home. Maybe you’re doing too many favors for people. Or involved in too many things.

If you find yourself overdoing it, learn to say no. Give yourself downtime. It will help keep your stress levels down.

2. Eat, But Eat Smart.

There are lots of ways to increase energy by making smart food choices, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For instance:

  • Eat every 3 to 4 hours—No sit-down meals are needed. Just grab healthy foods throughout the day. This can keep hunger away and help you avoid sugary snacks.
  • Don’t overeat during meals—A big meal can make you feel tired. That’s no good for focusing on the road for hours at a time. Remember that most restaurant meals come in oversized portions, so watch what you order. Take leftovers.
  • Cover your food group bases—You know the drill. Eat whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy throughout the day. It works. Sure, it might be hard to get all of these groups in a single serving. So just get as many of them as possible in each meal.
  • Snack smart—Opt for protein and fiber instead of sugar and fat. Fruit, nuts, or veggies and cheese are simple, portable snacks for maintaining energy.

Avoid So-Called Energy-Boosters: Boosters like caffeine or sugar might keep your internal engine running for an extra hour—but at the cost of a potentially dangerous energy crash later on.

Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

3. Cut Down On Screen Time To Increase Sleep Time.

Tablets and cellphones have backlit screens that give off blue light. That can keep you awake close to bedtime, explains an August 2012 study in Applied Ergonomics.

After-hours tech use is sometimes unavoidable. That’s especially true if it’s how you keep in touch with loved ones. If you have to use one of your devices within a few hours of going to sleep, install an app that filters out blue light after a certain time of day.

4. Watch Cat Videos—When You’re Not Driving, Of Course.

Need a quick energy boost before you hit the road? Call up some cat videos on YouTube. No, really.

A study found that people who view viral videos with funny and adorable felines feel better, physically and mentally (Computers in Human Behavior, June 2015). They had more positive emotions and more energy.

So, when your cat-hating friends pick on you, tell them about this study. Or just flood their smartphones with videos of your adorable little Frisky. Hey, you’re doing them a favor.


If you’re struggling to keep your energy up, find a DOT exam location near you. A medical provider who is certified in DOT and CDL exams can help you find even more healthy ways to fight fatigue.