lonely trucker

Battling Lonely Trucker Blues

The life of an over-the-road trucker is an exciting one. There’s travel and adventure, picturesque views, unique characters and plenty of memorable experiences. However, at one time or another, every long-haul driver will experience loneliness. Loneliness doesn’t have to drag you down, though. Try these brain hacks for battling the lonely trucker blues.

Live in the Moment

Loneliness is triggered by thoughts about the past. Rather than dwelling on thoughts about folks back home, or good times of the past, think about what is happening right in front of your eyes (especially if you’re driving!). Concentrate on the feeling of a rumbling engine, the smell of the mountain air or the sounds of a vibrant city. Do something fun, productive, relaxing – anything. Work or play, action of any kind, will help snap your mind out of a lonely loop and keep you moving forward.

Boycott Facebook

Facebook, Instagram and other nostalgia-inducing social media can really trigger lonely feelings. All the old photos, status updates and special moments being shared can really make you miss being with the people you love. That’s why it’s best to avoid these social media indulgences until you return home.

Talk to Everyone

While much of the trucker’s life is spent alone in the cab, there are also plenty of opportunities to talk to new and interesting people. Strike up conversations in line at the coffee shop, at the breakfast counter at Denny’s or while pumping gas at the truck stop. Wave to people on the road, tip your hat to fellow truckers and smile at everyone you walk past. Even the smallest interactions can make the heart warm up a little bit.

Keep in Touch

This may sound like a contradiction to the social media ban, but it’s vitally important to keep in touch with the people that you care about. However, keeping in touch doesn’t mean silently scrolling through Facebook pages. Keeping in touch involves real conversations, whether they happen on the phone or online. Make an effort to call or chat nightly, weekly, or monthly with friends and family. Make a phone call once in a while, or set up nightly skype sessions. Either way, you’ll feel much better after having a real interaction.

Besides battling the lonely trucker blues, keeping in touch will also improve home life when you return. By talking and communicating regularly, you will be on the same page as friends and family. This will make the transition from over-the-road life to home life much smoother. For instance, without any prior discussions your family may be planning a trip to the beach when you return home from a long haul. However, the reality may be that you will feel too exhausted to want to drive anywhere. Without talking about it, that point will never get across.

Count Your Blessings

Rather than focusing on what you miss, learn to focus the mind on the things you enjoy about life at the moment. Are you fond of the feeling you get when you’re on the road. Do you enjoy the freedom? Do you relish the idea of waking up in the desert and ending your day in the mountains? How about that upcoming paycheck? Be sure to take stock of everything you have to be grateful for.

You’re a Lonely Trucker. Own it.

Finally, remember that you are not alone in your loneliness. This feeling plagues the minds of men and women everywhere, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. So own it. People understand the feeling of loneliness and are often empathetic. That’s why some of the best conversations you will ever have are with fellow truckers and other long-distance drivers. So enjoy the company when you can, and use and share these brain hacks to help battle loneliness on the road.

 

food

Real Food on The Road

For the average trucker, finding a decent meal is no easy feat. Due to parking issues, most drivers must resort to gas station food and fast-food for their on-duty meals. However, the extremely helpful Suzanne Roquemore has put together a list of great eats for drivers in need of a good sit-down meal. Whether you want something healthy or are simply craving a meal that has been cooked rather than heat-lamped, this is the fine dining you’ve been looking for.

This piece published over at TruckingTruth.com features a list of top-notch restaurants with plenty of parking for tractor-trailers. See the full story here:

Good Eats – Restaurants With Truck Parking

Man standing in front of truck

Trucker Health

This year, professional drivers will be required to take a new kind of physical. The physical will have to be performed by an FMCSA-approved medical examiner, who will fill out DOT forms covering six main areas of trucker health:

  • Heart disease, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive system
  • Respiratory health, including sleep apnea
  • Weight and nutrition
  • Joint and back pain

Truckers suffering from any of these health problems won’t necessarily be denied their licensing, however, they may be issued temporary medical certification cards.

The goal is to encourage lifestyle changes that improve the health of commercial drivers. Truck driving is a high-risk occupation, both because of dangers on the road and dangers to overall well-being.

That’s why we will be featuring weekly tips for improving health while on the road. Things such as diet, fitness and simple hydration can make a world of difference.

Come back next week for our first Healthy Trucker Tip of the Week: Take 10,000 Steps!

parking

Truckin’ Runner

Jeff Clark is a Kewaunee trucker who has figured out how to live a healthier lifestyle, even when making the long haul. After training at home and on the road, he has been able to participate in multiple marathons and become an inspiration to everyone trying to get in shape despite the demands of the trucking industry. See the full story here:

http://www.wbay.com/story/25060683/2014/03/24/trucker-turns-runner

Spring Eating Tips

It’s springtime, and that means fruit and vegetable stands will begin to pop up on the sides of our nation’s highways. As a trucker, this is your best chance at finding healthy, convenient food while making the long haul. Freshness may be a foreign taste after a long winter of eating at truck stops, though. So, here are a few ideas to help you wean off the typical (and typically unhealthy) breakfast menu:

Breakfast tacos: Turn a typical breakfast taco into a super-food taco by adding all the nutrient-rich goodness of fresh avocado, tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic.

Bagels: There’s nothing better than a bagel with cream cheese, that is, until you try it dressed up with farm fresh herbs, sliced cucumbers and those sweet little just-picked tomato varieties.

Smoothies: Invest in a minifridge and a blender to make smoothies with all your favorite fruits. Simply combine ice, juice, yogurt and the fruit(s) of your choice.