Truck Driver Training Take No Shortcuts!

Truck Driver Training Take No ShortcutsThe greatest threat to the trucking industry today isnt automation or poorly maintained roadsits the devaluing of quality driver training by trucking companies. Smart-Tucking.com highlights this disturbing trend, and what can be done to reverse it. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) Its a sad truthsome trucking companies would rather spend their money on the latest technological bells and whistles to avoid expensive accidents than invest in qualified, well-trained drivers. Sure, crash warning alert systems, anti-rollover systems, and speed limiting and monitoring technologies are great steps toward an accident-free highway, but it shouldnt come at the expense of forgetting the fundamentalsgreat drivers.Truckers are mora than just warm bodies behind the wheelthey are skilled professionals that are tasked with making key decisions on the road, ensuring that precious cargo arrives on time and in tact. Man y smaller companies are more apt to recognize the value of driver training, which might be why their accident rates are often far lower than the big companiesBottom line Poorly trained drivers are a bad investment. Sure, it may be a quick way for companies to divert their cash into other areas, but anything that puts the safety of truckersand their fellow drivers on the roadat risk is a bad idea. Proper training will help save lives and make the roads safer for everyone. Whats more important and valuable than that?

Sleep App 4 Of The Best To Help You Catch Those Zzzs

Sleep App 4 Of The Best To Help You Catch Those Zzzs Youve probably already heard and been alarmed by the scary statistics that show just how many of ussuffer from sleep disordersorchoose to stay up far too late.As a result, lots of women have been looking for ways to improve their own sleep cycle.Of course, one of the major culprits causing our collective lack of rest is the blue light emanating from all of the devices we seem to have permanently glued to our hands. But what if you wanted to use your device to actually help you get to sleep (or to have better sleep) instead? Whether you need an alarm clock or some ambient sounds to help you get more shuteye, here are four of the best sleep apps available right now.1. Sleep Cycle alarm clockThe Sleep Cycle alarm clock app tracks your movements in order to determine where you are in your 90-minute sleep cycles. This can either be done by using your microphone or by using the phone accelerometer a device in your phone that measures m ovement or vibrations which requires you to place the phone on your mattress. (Safety note do NOT place your phone beneath your pillow or under a thick mattress.)When it reaches your chosen alarm time, the app begins to gently wake you during the lightest sleep state of your last sleep cycle. Its called a wake up leiter and it lasts about 30 minutes in order to rouse you as gently as possible.The Sleep Cycle app also features two different snooze options the intelligent snooze, which allows you to snooze through your wake up phase or a more traditional regular snooze, which lets you choose to snooze for one to 20 minutes, as many times you like. It also works in airplane mode, if youre concerned about a late-night call or text disturbing you when youre asleep.Available in the App Store and on Google Play.2. Relax MelodiesIf you need a few gentle sounds to lull you to sleep, you may want to give this app a try. Inspired after one of the creators suffered insomnia due to tinnitus, th e app allows users to create and add their own soundscapes to the apps guided meditations. It draws from more than 100 different relaxing sounds, from white noise to soothing melodies. You can either opt to listen to your mix all night, or you can set the timer to end at a specific time. If you struggle with sleep apnea or are a light sleeper, this is a good iPhone app for you to try.Available for iPhone and Android.3. Sleep CalculatorThis one isnt exactly an app, but it is a personal favorite. I first heard about this website from a guest on the Another Round podcast and it has been a lifesaver. Basically, you just decide when you want to sleep and when you want to wake , and the Sleep Calculator tells you the optimal time to go to bed in order to wake between one of your 90-minute sleep cycles. This way, you rely less on your alarm clock and you feel more rested when you wake up.The goal is to departure trying to fall asleep at least 15 minutes before your record bedtime, as it ta kes the average person that long to fall asleep. It has definitely helped me determine an appropriate bedtime for myself on multiple occasions and definitely improved my sleep quality.Available online.4. Sleep Better Sleep TrackerThis tracking app helps you determine which waking activities affect the quality of your sleep. One of the many health and fitness-related apps created by Runtastic, the app not only tracks your sleep, but features a smart alarm, keeps track of which daily habits impact your sleep and reviews your sleep statistics to make sure that youre getting enough rest.However, my favorite feature by far is the Dream Notes, which allows you to keep up with your dreams. As a person with an active imagination who tends to have her fair share of nightmares, this helps me out a lot when Im trying to remember what dream symbols to look up the next morning.Available in the App Store and on Google Play.Bonus tip if you have bad dreams as often as I do, dream dictionaries are a must. They help me determine what my sleeping brain is trying to suss out, and turn say, a terrifying nightmare about all of my teeth falling out into much-less-scary warnings about the perils of burnout. Its definitely easier to get back to sleep when you have even a vague understanding of what your subconscious is trying to unpack.So, if youre interested in improving your sleep quality, head to the app store ASAP. With each sleep app, youll be able to better understand your sleep cycle and finally get a good nights sleep.Sweet dreams--Lauren McEwen is an Atlanta-based freelancer and the social media manager for Hermione Granger and the Quarter Life Crisis.