Any job comes with some degree of stress, and it’s important to know how to manage this for the sake of your success and well-being. When it comes to trucking, stress management also plays a role in keeping drivers safe since it helps prevent road rage and keep you focused on the road.
Here are some tips truckers can use to manage stress:
1. Remember What Motivates You
Everyone has different reasons that motivated them to pursue a career in trucking. Maybe you love the freedom of the open road and wanted to see more of the country. You may also have wanted a career with the flexibility to find a schedule that works for you, or wanted to support your family with competitive pay.
Whatever your personal motivations and values are, try to remind yourself of them when you feel stressed. It can help make the bad days feel like they have a larger purpose and keeps you focused on what matters most to you.
2. Slow Down
If you notice that you’re getting stressed, take a moment to slow down. If you’re behind the wheel, take a few deep breaths and return your focus to the road. When possible, you may even want to find a truck stop or rest area and take a short break. This helps you reset and gives you time to use any coping strategies that work best for you.
This tip is also important for your safety. One major source of stress for truckers is the pressure to make deliveries quickly. While being on time and efficient is important, safety is more so. Reminding yourself of this and making a deliberate attempt to slow down is beneficial for reducing your stress and helps prevents accidents.
3. Take Care Of Your Physical Health
Your physical and mental health are closely linked. If you’re not getting enough sleep, are eating poorly, or have other physical health issues, you’ll likely feel more stressed.
Here are some tips for improving your health as a trucker:
- Take short runs or walks during your breaks to get moving.
- Prepare food ahead of time and avoid unhealthy restaurants on the road.
- Find a routine that helps you get to sleep and make sure to set aside enough time for rest.
- Drink plenty of water.
4. Find Support
Having others who understand what life on the road is like can help you stay positive even when things are tough. You can connect with students you attended trucking school with, other drivers at your company, or even truckers on online forums. Non-truckers can also be a valuable part of your support system. It helps to have people you can talk to and who have your best interest at heart.
Build A Strong Foundation For Your Trucking Career
If you’re ready to become a truck driver, finding a high-quality trucking school helps you start strong. At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks.
