A Healthier You - Back to School

Back to School time is nearly upon us! Hopefully you have wrapped up school shopping and have eager kiddos easing back into normal sleep schedules. Back to school also means we are sending our loved ones into an environment where every little cold germ and virus lurks just waiting to infect them and spread into our homes and on to your workplace. Not cool!!

What’s our best defense? Properly washing hands!

Here’s a little info for you on the proper way to wash away those germs:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). Make sure the water isn't too hot for little hands.
2. Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds. Antibacterial soap isn't a must — any soap will do.
3. Make sure you get in between your fingers, on the backs of hands, and under the nails where germs like to hang out. And don't forget the wrists!
4. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

Did you know 80% of communicable diseases are transferred by touch yet only 19% of people globally have good hand washing habit? Something to think about the next time you shake someone’s hand. 😉

Don’t underestimate the power of hand washing! The time spent at the sink could keep you out of the doctor’s office.

Thank you,

Wenona Mertens

A Healthier You - Signs of Heat Stroke

As most Alabamian’s know, July and August are our two hottest months each year. We are in the 8 weeks where the temps can be most dangerous but it’s also the time when outdoor fun is at its best so I thought a few tips on recognizing the signs of a heat stroke would be beneficial for us all.

Signs to look for if you think YOU may be in danger of a heat stroke:

• Confusion
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• You have stopped sweating
• Cramps or muscle weakness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid and shallow breathing

Signs to look for if you think SOMEONE AROUND YOU is having a heat stroke:

• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

How to treat heat stroke:

1. Get emergency help immediately

2. Keep Cool until treated

Have a safe and happy summer!!

Thank you,

Wenona Mertens

A Healthier You - Cut the sodas

Everyone is always looking for an easy way to lose weight and normally I’m the first to say that there’s no “Easy” way. Let’s face it, everything worth having takes some work. But there is one simple change in your daily habits that will have you seeing results in no time: Cut out the Cokes (aka Sodas, Pops, Liquid Sugar in a Can) and replace with water.

One serving of Coca Cola (600 mL) has 16 teaspoons of sugar! So if you have 3 of these cokes each day that’s 1 whole cup of sugar you’re consuming. And we all know sugar = weight gain. By replacing your colas with water you could eliminate 30 cups of sugar from your diet a month. 30 CUPS!!! That will have a big impact on your waistline 😊

Here’s a great website where you can see an extensive list of sugar in drinks.

A Healthier You - Tech Edition

We all know that getting a good workout a few times a week is great for our health but sometimes finding the time to drive to the gym or a track just doesn’t fit our schedule. And if it doesn’t fit then we usually end up skipping it ☹. We’re too busy, right!?

Not really. With today’s technology we have tons of options to keep us on track! Here’s a few techy suggestions to keep your health journey from derailing:

Pedometers:  It doesn’t matter if you pick Fitbit, Apple watch, Samsung phone, or a simple pedometer just pick something that will help you be accountable. People who are diligent about getting their 10,000 steps each day sleep better, reduce risks of heart attacks, and have better mental health. And all steps count!! Cleaning house? Turn some music on and add a few dance steps in. Running errands? Park at the back of the lot.

YouTube: Don’t have time to go to a class at the gym or maybe you just don’t like people 😉. No problem! YouTube.com is full of great classes of all types and for people of all levels.  Throw on some comfortable clothes and do a quick search for your video and you’re all ready to get your sweat on…or stretch…or meditate…whatever you need.

Smart Exercise Equipment:  Looking for a spin class or maybe live yoga in your home but with real people or just great feedback? You have so many options! Peloton has bikes and treadmills that are connected to live instructors and classes. Also there’s now an interactive mirror, conveniently named Mirror, that can guide you through yoga, boxing, strength training or cardio all while giving you feedback about your form and keeping up with your changing measurements. AMAZING!!

So no more excuses. You can do this!!

Thank you,

Wenona Mertens

C2’s Dispatch Team’s Favorite Carriers

No matter what time of year it is the awesome C2 Freight dispatch team makes it feel like Christmas in July! Whether it's Christmas or July, the dispatch team is working around the clock to make sure our shippers and carriers are taken care of. 

If you’re a carrier working with C2 Freight then you are very familiar with the voices of our dispatch team. We believe it is important to keep information flowing between our customer, the shipper, receiver, and driver. This could be updates on shipping times, appointment times, traffic issues, or the numerous Acts of God we’ve seen lately so this can equal a lot of phone time for our team.

In the spirit of great communication, we’d like to send out a few tips to keep you at the top of our “Favorite Carriers” list:

• Accept Tracking: C2 offers a couple different options for tracking and both almost eliminate the need for dispatch to call a driver while he/she is on the road. Not only does this provide up-to-the-minute tracking but it’s also much safer for drivers.

• Be Friendly:         Please understand that great customer service is our goal and that means we will be calling for updates often (if you don’t accept tracking) so please be friendly to our team. We promise to gather the needed information as quickly as possible. This necessary step can be made even more pleasant if our team is received by a friendly voice.

• Communicate:     If it’s a flat tire, a backup at the shipper, a traffic accident, or a herd of cattle blocking the highway let us know. In most scenarios our dispatch team will be able to make arrangements for you to load or unload the same day if the delay is communicated quickly.

C2 understands that each carrier’s time is valuable so applying these simple tips can help us help you keep the wheels rolling.

Written by Wenona Mertens

July 2019 C2 Employee Spotlight

This month the employee spotlight is on Brandon Womack. He is our newest Carrier Coordinator and member of our company.  Brandon started working with us in May, and we quickly decided that he would be a huge asset for us. 

Brandon graduated from Addison High School in 1989 and is 48 years old.  He and his wife, Joy, live in Addison. They have two beautiful daughters Maddie, who recently graduated from Addison High School, and Bailey, who is twelve years old. 

Brandon is an active deacon at Arley First Baptist, an Addison city council member, and a volunteer football coach. He is busy to say the least, but always ready to lend a helping hand to our carriers and customers.  Thanks Brandon!