Feeling overwhelmed. Whatever it is, we all have to cope with it. Commercial drivers don’t get nearly as much attention as fleet managers do when discussing the difficulties they encounter daily. How stressful is it to drive a truck? Are you insisting on that iganony?
How can we define stress? The physiological response of the body to both internal and external factors that have an impact on daily functioning is known as stress. Consequently, there are two sides to the coin when dealing with stress: internal, related to one’s problems, and external, related to one’s work.
Worried truck drivers are less productive and more prone than average to focus on anything other than road safety. Moreover, stress negatively affects general well-being.
Keeping your employees content is critical in light of the record number of initiatives aimed at retaining truck drivers.
In addition to being available for employees who need it, fleet managers can do a lot to make the workplace, the route, and the car a less stressful place.
Does Driving a Truck Cause Stress? Discover the Effects
There is an alarmingly high rate of fatal injuries and significant health problems among commercial vehicle drivers and truckers, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nearly 2.6 million American workers operated vehicles with a payload of more than 10,000 pounds in 2015, according to the CDC. The number of deaths involving commercial drivers or their passengers rose between 2009 and 2012, following a 35-year low in 2009.
The number of fatalities caused by road accidents in the first nine months of 2022 was projected by the National Highway Road Safety Administration (NHTSA) to be 31,785. With 31,850 deaths predicted for the same period in 2021, this represents a decline of 0.2%. The safety situation is improving as a result of the efforts.
According to the CDC, 317,000 reports of motor vehicle collisions involving heavy trucks in 2012.
Looking ahead, the Federal Highway Administration’s Annual Highway Statistics estimate that 2.28 million individuals were hurt on American roads in 2020. Despite a 7.8 percent decrease in fatalities caused by heavy trucks in comparison to 2019, the figures remain alarmingly high.
Consider how much time over-the-road drivers and those with commercial driver’s licenses spend each week, factoring in time spent navigating poor drivers and high traffic. To understand it better, it would be better to follow a few pieces of trucker news.
But let’s discuss the nine tips first.
1. Eat Well First and Last
What you put into your body has a direct impact on your life. Because it improves your health in general and your mood in particular, maintaining a nutritious diet is an excellent stress reliever. If you’re in good health, you won’t allow yourself to be irritated or distracted by tiny things.
Incorporate more salads and other greens into your diet and cut less on fast food. Supplements, including multivitamins, should also be considered.
2. Engaging in meditation
A great way to relax and improve your breathing control is to practice meditation. While meditating, one lets their thoughts wander while simultaneously relaxing into a rhythm of deep breathing.
After enduring a traumatic experience, such as traveling through severe weather, meditation might help you relax and recover. Don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results from your meditation practice. Mastering it requires some time and effort.
3. Show up
Every day spent behind the wheel may be somewhat isolating. When you go home, one way to alleviate these sensations is to practice being present with the people you care about. Pay close attention and be actively interested in what they say about themselves. Stay in the here and now and relish everything happening rather than fretting about what could happen later.
4. Get plenty of sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for lowering stress levels and improving health in general. A night of seven to nine hours of sleep is ideal. A good night’s sleep is easier if you follow a regular schedule, keep the room cold and dark, and switch off all devices at least an hour before bed.
5. Move as much as you can
You can expect to spend significant time behind the wheel in any CDL trucking job. Since there’s no way around it, it’s smart to get up and move around while driving whenever you can for the sake of your health.
After two or more hours on the road, it’s time to pull over and stretch for a few minutes. A simple exercise routine, like a short stroll, may do wonders for mental clarity.
6. Decide What You Want
It’s not easy to eat healthily when traveling, but what you put into your body directly impacts your energy, mood, stress levels, and overall well-being. Make little changes to your eating habits and pack healthy snacks for the journey. Make sure you’re drinking enough water in addition to your nutritious food to help battle weariness and stress.
7. Get in the Habit of Breathing Exercises
Breathing normally isn’t an issue when you’re alone in a truck. Anytime, anyplace, breathing exercises are an excellent method to alleviate tension.
To begin, breathe deeply through your nose while counting to eight; this is the simplest technique. Keep your breath in for the whole thing, releasing it only on the ninth and tenth counts. Repeat this process many times; you should get a sense of relief and tranquility each time.
8. Concentrate on Your Controllable
When you’re on the road by yourself, it’s tempting to let the tension build-up. Nothing but you and your ideas. Under these conditions, dwelling on past events or becoming paralyzed by fear of the future are common responses. Maybe you and your spouse fought before you left for the day’s activities, and now you can’t stop thinking about it.
Pay close attention to the things you have a genuine influence on at this moment. While you’re on the road, you can’t resolve any conflicts. Looking back is not an option.
9. Stay Focused Despite Other Drivers
Lastly, it’s critical to remain composed and not let yourself be influenced by drivers who are impolite or violent. Avoid adding to road rage or driving recklessly by not allowing other drivers to phase you.
In the end!
As a truck driver, you must know how to reduce stress to drive comfortably and safely. By adhering to the aforementioned guidelines, you will be adequately prepared to maintain composure and composure under pressure when driving.
