As someone interested in training to become a school transportation professional, you realize how your health and wellness are paramount—not just for your sake but also for the safety of the children being transported on the bus. Navigating through the challenges unique to your role, from sitting for prolonged periods to managing stress from unpredictable traffic and schedules, maintaining your health can sometimes feel like navigating a winding road. But it’s crucial for ensuring safety and job satisfaction.
School districts and private transportation companies understand the importance of their drivers’ health. By helping drivers remain as healthy as possible, they will have fewer days off due to health reasons, but they will also be more aware of their surroundings while driving, which translates to safety for all students on the bus.
Physical Health
Regular Exercise
One aspect of choosing to be a bus transportation professional potential drivers will need to consider is how much sitting you would do while on the job. The sedentary nature of driving a bus can affect your physical health. To combat this, incorporating simple exercises into your routine is essential.
Simple stretching exercises, like neck rolls and shoulder shrugs, can be done during brief stops or waiting for students to get on the bus. Additionally, keeping resistance bands in the bus can allow strength-building exercises right in your seat or during breaks.
You can also take time between driving times to walk at a park or local mall. Walking quickly will raise your heart rate, which is important for maintaining your health.
Healthy Eating on the Go
When it comes to eating, it’s easy to fall into the trap of convenience food, but with a bit of preparation, healthy eating is entirely feasible. Packing meals like chicken wraps, salads, fruits, and plenty of water helps maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Having healthy snacks on the bus might also be helpful so you don’t stop at a drive-thru when you crave a snack before your afternoon shift. Some options are jerky, mixed nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, or granola bars. All of those items are self-stable and do not require refrigeration. Having bottles of water available might also be advisable.
Mental Health
It is also helpful to realize bus transportation professionals may experience stress while on the job, similar to any other job you may have. Managing a large vehicle, ensuring student safety, and adhering to tight schedules can be overwhelming.
Drivers can reduce stress by practicing mindfulness and deep breathing exercises during breaks. These exercises can help immensely. Knowing what triggers stress can help drivers avoid those situations.
Making friends with other drivers creates a network where you can discuss your questions or situations. This can be a great support system. Spending time sharing experiences and coping strategies benefits all drivers, whether new or experienced.
Ergonomic Health
Proper seating posture is vital for anyone spending several hours sitting each day. A driver should sit with their entire back resting comfortably against the back of the seat. Sit so the front of the seat doesn’t press into the backs of your knees. You would also want to have your thighs supported by the seat. Following these tips will enable you to drive for a few hours without pain.
Since you will likely be the only one driving the bus, you should be able to adjust the driver’s seat to support you in the best way possible. You can also use cushions to prevent chronic back pain. During your route, take a short break to stretch and walk around the bus to improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
Sleep and Rest
Given your irregular hours, especially with early morning routes or split shifts, quality sleep during your off hours is crucial. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. A quiet, dark room that is comfortable is the best place to help you relax so you can easily fall asleep. Reducing screen time before bed and using relaxation exercises can also enhance sleep quality.
Consider using power naps when needed. These naps offer significant benefits, especially for professionals like school transportation professionals who manage demanding schedules. A brief nap of 20-30 minutes can profoundly enhance alertness and performance without leaving one feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep. These short rests help improve mood, increase mental clarity, and boost memory retention, crucial when transporting children safely. Additionally, power napping can reduce stress and increase overall cognitive functioning, making it an excellent tool for those needing to maintain high concentration levels throughout variable work hours.
Health Screenings and Medical Care
As with any other job, regular health check-ups are crucial for all school transportation professionals. These check-ups include vision tests to ensure the driver can always see your route clearly and cardiovascular health assessments to manage the job’s demands.
Staying updated with immunizations is also needed, especially when working closely with children. School districts and private transportation companies may require specific immunizations, so be sure to discuss which ones are necessary to get all that are needed.
Creating a Healthy Work Environment
A positive work environment makes nearly every job better. Fostering a positive work environment where every team member feels valued can greatly enhance job satisfaction and reduce stress. As a new school transportation professional, you can share your positive attitude with each student you contact daily.
Another way to experience a healthy work environment is to take advantage of professional development opportunities. Availing yourself of these opportunities can help you feel more competent as a new driver and less strained by the demands of your roles. Discuss possible classes or training with the school district or private transportation companies.
Conclusion
Maintaining your health as a school transportation professional is not just about personal well-being—it’s about being practical and safe in your job. Each aspect, from physical to mental and ergonomic health, is critical to your daily performance.
Call to Action
New drivers and those training to become school transportation professionals will want to adopt these health and wellness practices. Share your successes and tips while you strive to make your daily job healthier and more rewarding!
If you are interested in learning more about the availability of healthcare for new school transportation professionals, read our article. You can find out which schools are looking for new drivers by visiting https://schoolbushero.com/jobs.