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3 Tips to Maximise Personal Efficiency in Delivery Work

Author: Lisa Jeeves
by Lisa Jeeves
Posted: Oct 15, 2014

Hauliers who regularly carry out long distance delivery work may find that trying to keep up with the rigours and demands of the job can take a significant toll on their efficiency, focus and health. Fortunately, there are ways you can overcome the physical and mental wear and tear. The following three tips may help.

Hydration

When undertaking a career in delivery work, drivers need endurance, stamina and resiliency - and these are physical qualities are not attainable without proper hydration. Sounds simplistic, we know, but drivers often overlook the importance of keeping their bodies hydrated, mainly because the ill effects of dehydration do not take place with a big announcement. Dehydration is gradual, and its ensuing debilitating effects may already be wreaking havoc with your system before you even notice it: fatigue, declining alertness, sleepiness and headaches and muscle aches. Needless to say, to stay in tip-top condition, you must be fully aware of the needs of your body in advance. Always keep a bottle of water or energy drink with you - and by that we mean electrolyte solutions formulated for highly active athletes and not the caffeine and sugar-laden drinks that actually do the opposite. You should also avoid coffee, as it only further serves to sap your body of essential fluids.

Rest Boosts Alertness

Many drivers doing long haul delivery work tend to try to push through with a schedule despite the often overwhelming tug of fatigue and sleepiness. But there is only so much your will can accomplish - in fact, the failure to understand and appreciate the inevitability of sleep can put a driver at risk of an accident. That’s why when performing a long distance job it is important to respect the natural needs of your body. Preparation starts hours before you even leave, but getting adequate sleep and avoiding beverages such as alcohol, coffee or strong tea, as they can interfere in your body’s natural rhythms. When you’re out on the road, you'll need to be very aware of timing: it's a scientific fact that we tend to get very sleepy from 4am to 7am and from 2pm to 4pm every day. When you feel sleepy, take a rest - find a safe parking area and take a half-hour nap to rejuvenate.

Identify and Avoid Distractions

There are plenty of distractions that can get in the way of a driver’s focus when they're carrying out their delivery work. And it's not always minor, "harmless" distractions; anything that distracts the driver from doing their job with their full attention can not be considered harmless, as even a small thing can cause terrible accidents. The most common distractions while driving include texting or taking a call, daydreaming, listening to repetitive or too familiar music, trying to choose music or a radio station, and eating. Once you’ve identified these distractions, the next logical step should be to find ways to avoid them or at least minimise their impact. Your job and your life depend on it.

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry across the UK and Europe. It provides services for matching delivery work and to buy and sell road transport and haulage work in the domestic and international markets. Over 3,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

About the Author

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.

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Author: Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

Member since: Oct 18, 2013
Published articles: 4550

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