It's Men's Mental Health Month! One of our truck drivers came to the terminal for a quick interview. He shares his wisdom on the road and answers hitting questions that can help other owner operators out there, along with any advice he has for truckers out there for Men's Mental Health Month.
Mental health awareness and being aware of mental health tips are of much importance, especially for truck drivers who are away from their families for extended periods of time. Being away from home can make maintaining connections challenging, which underscores the importance of making an intentional effort to stay connected!
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to keep in touch with family and friends. Make it a priority to reach out to them regularly, especially during breaks from driving. Beyond staying in touch with loved ones, it's beneficial to build connections with fellow drivers. Whether you meet them on the road or through online trucker communities, forming bonds with others in the industry creates a sense of community.
Sharing experiences with people who understand the challenges of the transportation sector provides valuable support and companionship, easing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
As a truck driver, what do you do to keep on top of your mental health? It's a discussion to have, especially as part of Men's Mental Health Month.
Let's break the stigma of men's mental health. If you're looking for ways on how to improve mental health as a truck driver, here are some great mental health tips:
Get moving
When your job is sitting in a truck all day, it can be hard to put some exercise into your day. But even small changes, like taking a walk when you fuel up, doing a few minutes of yoga before bed, or strength training a few times a week, keep both your body and mind healthier. Exercise releases hormones and endorphins that help alleviate feelings of depression, so it’s a great way to naturally boost your mood and overall wellness
Form a support network
Being a trucker on the road makes it hard to maintain connections, which is why it’s so important to put in the effort to do so! Technology today makes it easier than ever for you to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Before you just needed a pay phone or couldn't communicate at all!
Make an effort to form connections with other drivers. Having other people you can talk can help you form a community. Connecting with others who experience the difficulties of working in the trucking industry helps you find the support and understanding that can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Eat a balanced diet
Eating a balanced diet can have a positive effect on your mental health. Truck stops aren’t known for having healthy options, but packing snacks like fruits, veggies, nuts, deli meat, and yogurt can help you get more nutrients into your diet—helping support both your brain and body. When you do stop at restaurants, look for nutrient-dense options that will
keep you full and feeling good.
Seek professional help
Therapy offers you a safe place to discuss your concerns and develop coping mechanisms to better manage your mental health.
Life on the road can make it tricky to go to in-person appointments, but luckily there are plenty of remote options and telehealth options. Employers or insurance often cover telehealth appointments, so be sure to check out what your options are.
Here's a one our drivers interview about life on the road and how he handles everything thrown his way.
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