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Nathan Browne, D.C

Keeping control

In lieu of the holiday season and the many industry changes coming in the New Year, I think it's appropriate to take a step back and look at the big picture in an effort to embrace the changes, rather than shy away from them.

It's no secret that the trucking industry has earned a below-average grade when it comes to the health and wellness of its drivers. It's a topic that the industry has only recently taken a serious stance on.

Change can be very hard to digest, as many of us are set in our ways and very comfortable with our daily routines. The thought of drastically changing the lifestyle you have been accustomed to for years may seem unrealistic, and in many cases turning the other cheek might be the easiest solution, until now.

Such change, though, doesn't have to be dramatic. In fact, when you make drastic changes to your routine, it is less likely that you'll adhere to those changes in the long term. I am aware that many of you are being force-fed a lot of information on health and wellness, and while some are very interested, others are tuning it out. Why? Maybe because it's just too much to absorb all at once or maybe you don't feel there is a problem and are living in denial.

Spending the majority of the day alone behind the wheel grants you an overwhelming feeling of independence and control. Sure, you work hard for your paycheck and deserve every cent you earn, but what would you do if you lost that control and were deemed unfit to drive? How would you feed your family?

It's no secret that unemployment is at its highest in years. That, coupled with the new rules and regulations about to roll out, could potentially put your livelihood in jeopardy. I know you've heard all this before, but it's time to take a proactive approach to your health and make necessary changes on your own terms while you still can.
Waiting until the time you are forced to change is only setting yourself up for failure. Before you get frustrated, understand that nobody expects you to turn your bad habits off with a switch. There isn't a day that goes by that a patient doesn't ask my opinion on something they engage in, either good or bad. My answer is usually very consistent in that nothing in excess is good, and moderation is the key to achieving the desired result.

There are a lot of you out there in denial, who look at your own personal health and consider it a lost cause. The way in which you embrace change will directly affect the desired result, thus it is important to realize things don't happen overnight. Set obtainable goals for yourself by easing into things and realizing that you have the control.

The purpose of this column is to encourage those of you who feel threatened by the evolution of this industry to understand that change is gradual, and digesting it is best done one bite at a time. Protect your livelihood by keeping control and setting an example, so everyone else will get on board. Most importantly, make positive changes in your life, not because you feel threatened, but because it's the right thing to do.

The holiday season is upon us, and for many it marks the one time a year when your family gets together, so take control and realize that your decisions have a profound effect on them. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Nathan Browne is a Doctor of Chiropractic serving Atlanta, GA and the region.