Posted By Hit The Road Jack on Jul 14, 2017 | 1 comment

Stress follows everyone, especially truck drivers. When you are on the road for over 10 hours every day, it’s no surprise that you experience stress. As a truck driver, your source of stress could stem from anything road related such as traffic jams, rude drivers, or difficult weather. However, being away from your loved ones can also cause stress with relationships. It is important to identify when you are experiencing stress, because it can cause low energy, headaches, physical muscle pains, and a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to catch viruses. With a life on the road, you can’t afford to get sick, so de-stress your life with these four tips to reduce stress when on the road.

Four Tips to Reduce Stress When on the Road

1: Maintain Healthy Eating Habits

The first of our many tips to reduce stress when on the road is focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Have you ever wondered why comfort food is the go-to meal for bad days? This is because the answer is written in the name of it: it provides you with comfort. Food is one of the many solutions to combating stress. This is because certain food releases hormones within your brain which serve as natural stress relievers. When you are healthy, your body releases dopamine within your brain, making you happier, and full of energy. With that being said, strive to eat healthy food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, and vitamin C to provide your body with a boost of energy to keep your stress levels low. Avoid unhealthy food such as processed meals and food rich in cholesterol and fats to prevent lethargy. Consuming these types of food will decrease your mood, which can contribute to increasing your stress levels. Aim to decrease your sugar and caffeine intake while increasing your fruits and vegetable intake.

2: Get Enough Sleep

Drivers’ fatigue is a common source of stress for truck drivers on the road. Despite the long hours that your job requires, it is important to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Getting a good night’s rest is an integral part of ensuring a safe journey. Getting enough sleep may just be the most important tip out of our list of tips to reduce stress when on the road. This is because a lack of sleep is one of the major causes of stress in many people of all different types of professions. In fact, sleep deprivation affects both your mental and emotional state, making you more likely to engage in impulsive behavior and potentially suffer from mental illness. Lack of sleep can also cause harm to your digestive and, respiratory, and endocrine system, so make sure that you are catching up on your sleep to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

3: Exercise Daily

Similar to maintaining healthy eating habits, exercise is an important daily habit to include in your lifestyle. Truck drivers are constantly on the road, providing them with limited resources and time to exercise. Despite this, it is important to include exercise in your daily routine. Strive to spend a minimum of 15-30 minutes each day dedicated to exercising. There are also many apps that you can download to guide you on incorporating workouts that you can do in your hotel room or even using your truck.

4: Listen to Motivational/Inspirational Podcasts

Stress can cause negative attitudes, which then affects your entire experience driving on the road. To combat this, try listening to motivational or inspirational podcasts to help lift your spirits. If those are not your thing, listen to your favorite podcast or favorite playlist to boost your mood. Doing things that make you happy is a simple solution to relieving stress while on the road.

Now that you have learned about four tips to reduce stress when on the road, you are ready to embark on your journey with a healthy and positive lifestyle. Good luck and happy trucking!