Life on the Road for a Trucker can have a tremendous effect on a driver’s mental health. Drivers spend most of their time on the road alone and away from family and friends. While truck driving can be a rewarding job, the extended periods of isolation can attribute to a decline in a driver’s mental health. So, what are some mental health tips that can help a trucker avoid a potential downfall in their mental health?
Exercise
Just as exercise is good for anyone, it can also help truckers maintain good mental health. Sitting for extended periods of time can cause strain on a person’s physical body as well as their mental health. Adding some exercise in a trucker’s schedule whenever possible can benefit.
Check out some of these STRETCHES EVERY TRUCKER NEEDS TO KNOW.
Healthy Diet
Being on the road can make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet, but doing so can have great mental health benefits. Fast food, or foods high in sugar, are readily available foods while on the road but have been linked to depression, if ate in high quantities. Try cooking or keeping healthy foods in the truck by use of a mobile fridge and travel appliances.
Check out these QUICK AND HEALTHY MEALS FOR TRUCKERS.
Travel with a Buddy
Consider traveling with someone. A travel buddy can be in the form of another driver (team driving), driving with a passenger (like a family member or friend), or even with a pet. The company of another person or animal can help with the monotony that driving alone can cause. (However, some companies are against team driving and/or passengers, so check with them first before exercising this tip.)
Check out our blog on TRUCKING WITH YOUR PET.
Check out our blog on the BENEFITS OF TEAM DRIVING.
Bring Home to Life on the Road
If physically traveling with your loved ones is unavailable, try bringing some of the comforts of home on the road. Bring pictures of loved ones on the road can have the ability to boost a person’s mood. Home Electronics, a favorite blanket, home décor, or even a comfortable seat cushion can help bring the comfortability of being at home to life on the road.
Check out our blog on PRODUCTS TO HELP LIFE ON THE ROAD FEEL MORE LIKE HOME.
Maintain an Engaged Mind
An engaged mind can also help prevent mental health declines. Podcast are a great way to keep your mind engaged and busy while on the road. However, music, audio-books, and activity puzzle books (during downtime while stopped) are also great ways to keep your mind busy.
Check out our TOP 5 PODCAST FOR TRUCKERS.
Preserve a Strong Connection with Family/Friends
Being away from family and friends for long periods of time doesn’t mean communication has to cease completely. With today’s technology, keeping up with family and friends is easier than ever. Using Facetime (or a similar application) makes it easy to talk and connect while on the road. Support from both family and friends can increase a person’s mood and mental health.
Having good mental health is paramount for Truckers. Operating such heavy machinery takes a lot of focus as well as good decision making. So, a decline in a trucker’s mental health could have very detrimental effects on not only a trucker’s life but other drivers on the road as well. Although these tips can help, if you feel like you are struggling with low mental health, be sure to reach out to a trained professional for medical help as they will have the skills and knowledge to help you in the best way possible.
One Response
Thanks so much for the tips on how to keep healthy while working as a truck driver. I have a friend who wants to start driving for a living because he loves the idea of traveling even if it’s not for recreation. We’ve been looking into what the industry is like and finding a company he can apply to that will treat him well.