Long days, bad weather, endless highway construction: when you’re a truck driver, there’s always something waiting on the road to stress you out. Experienced truck drivers know they need to have a plan for how to deal with truck driver stress. What are some strategies that could work for you?
Why Is Truck Driving Stressful?
Did you know that 75 percent of truck drivers experience stress due to their jobs? There’s a lot to love about truck driving, like the freedom of the open road and the ability to own and operate a business. However, there are also plenty of stressful situations that even experienced truck drivers find tricky to navigate:
- Trucking can be a socially isolating profession. Drivers spend less time with friends and family while on the road and can miss out on quality time at home.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a trucker can be a challenge. Most truckers eat fast food multiple times a week, and many struggle to get quality sleep.
- Trucking is a fast-paced job requiring quick decision-making and a heavy work schedule to meet customer expectations. Balancing these priorities can be overwhelming if a trucker is not prepared.
Tackling Trucker Stress
The stress of truck driving is real, but that doesn’t mean every truck driver is doomed. Instead of worrying, try these strategies to deal with truck driver stress:
Prioritize Your Health
Poor health is a known stressor for truck drivers, so what can you do to take care of yourself? Planning ahead to make sure that healthy choices are available to you can help:
- Instead of eating junk food, keep your truck stocked with healthier options. Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
- Exercise every day. Bodyweight exercises are a great substitute for hitting the gym.
- Avoid excessive use of substances like caffeine or alcohol.
- Block light with an eye mask or curtains to prepare for a restful night of sleep. You can also try a white noise machine to drown out excessive sounds.
Stay Connected
The social isolation of trucking can be a challenge, but there’s plenty drivers can do to combat it:
- Take advantage of technology by scheduling video calls with friends and loved ones. You can also use social media to stay in touch with people no matter where you are.
- Establish a regular schedule for checking in with the essential people in your life. Update them on your travels and make plans for when you return.
- Make friends in the trucking industry by joining professional driver associations and other trucking-focused social groups. They’ll understand the stresses you’re dealing with and can provide significant support.
Focus on Success
No matter how much you plan ahead, stressors can still come up on the road. You can make common sources of stress more manageable by planning ahead:
- Be sure to invest time and resources into truck maintenance. It’s the best way to avoid breakdowns and other maintenance issues that create stress and delays.
- Stay on top of your paperwork. Keep documents like receipts organized with binders, envelopes, and other tools, and reconcile them regularly.
- Work for a company that prioritizes drivers. BLC Transportation provides all the resources owner-operators need to be successful.
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The best plan for dealing with truck driver stress is to work for a company that puts its drivers first. See what opportunities are waiting for you at BLC Transportation.
Are you hoping to start a new career as a truck driver? BLC Transportation can help. We have opportunities for both company drivers and lease-purchase drivers. With our lease-purchase program, you can make 90 percent of the line haul while driving new trucks that provide comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Plus, we offer bonuses and incentives, a health insurance subsidy, a friendly passenger/pet policy, assistance registering for an LLC, and more. Contact us today!