2024 Facts for Drivers PDF

stay active. It is recommended that a person start with 5-10 minutes of physical activity per day and work up to 30 minutes. Small im- provements to a driver's exercise regimen and frequent stretching can have a great impact on their physical and mental health. Sufficient Sleep and Rest: Getting su...

stay active. It is recommended that a person start with 5-10 minutes of physical activity per day and work up to 30 minutes. Small im- provements to a driver's exercise regimen and frequent stretching can have a great impact on their physical and mental health. Sufficient Sleep and Rest: Getting sufficient sleep its an important component of any healthy lifestyle. Although each person has an individual sleep need, most adults require an average of seven to eight hours of sleep to feel alert and well rested. Lack of sufficient sleep can also undermine your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation has been found to weaken the body's immune system, leaving you more susceptible to colds, diseases, and disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. It can also cause confusion, lack of concentration, memory loss, irritability, depres- sion, emotional highs and lows, as well as stress. It affects job perfor- mance and increases accidents and injuries. Obesity has also been associated with sleep deprivation as hormones are altered, causing an increase In appetite, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine. One of the causes of sleeplessness is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is caused by a blockage of the airway. Breathing stops repeated- ly during sleep, causing the brain to arouse the sleeper in order to resume breathing. Sleep is therefore fragmented and of poor quality. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that more than 12 mil- lion Americans are affected by sleep apnea. The most affected popula- tions include males, and those who are overweight and over the age of 40, but anyone can be diagnosed. It ts treatable, but only tf it is diagnosed. Prevention: A healthy lifestyle includes more than eating, sleeping, and exercising well. It means avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking, drugs, and alcohol. It means maintaining a healthy weight, a good hygiene regimen, and getting regular check-ups to test cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. It also means strictly following the doctor's orders and taking all prescriptions exactly as instructed. Research has also linked poor oral (dental) hygiene to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious ailments. It 1s import- ant to brush, floss, and get your teeth cleaned regularly to not only make a good impression but to prevent plaque buildup, gingivitis or periodontal disease which causes gums to inflame and bleed, teeth to 152