Being a long haul trucker isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly lucrative. Although it’s a career that’s always in demand, and one that pays well, it is still difficult for companies to retain drivers. This is partially because of the solitary nature of the job.
One of the biggest issues for long haul truckers is staying awake and entertained on the road. It isn’t a job for everyone, and some may find being alone for so many hours at a time mind-numbing. However, if you don’t mind being alone or away from friends and family for long periods, long haul trucking could be an excellent career choice.
When you’re on your shifts, it isn’t just a struggle to stay awake and alert on the road. You will also be spending many nights, often for weeks at a time, in the back of your truck’s cab. This can be a struggle for those who get bored easily or who don’t appreciate their own company.
For long haul truckers who have made the commitment, there are many things you can do to keep yourself alert and engaged on the road.
Audiobooks
If you’re not a big reader now, being on the road might turn you into one. And if you are, now is the time to catch up on your reading.
Reading will keep your mind engaged on the long days and nights ahead, especially as you will be sleeping alone for several weeks at a time.
Many audiobook services will give you the text of the book when you purchase an audio copy. This way, you can also read parts of the book when you’re winding down for the night. You can pick up right where you left off the next day and keep listening.
If you love audiobooks, but you feel like it’s a bit too expensive, you can purchase subscription services to audiobook sites. You can also ask your friends and family for money toward books for each holiday and occasion.
Write Down Stories of Things You Encounter as a Long Haul Trucker
You may not want to be a long haul trucker forever, and you may not have an aspiration to be a memoirist. Either way, writing down some of your best stories will keep your mind engaged and will give you a way to remember some of the things you encountered during your career.
Each time something funny or unusual happens, write it down in a notebook. Later, you can share these anecdotes with family and friends you’ve left behind for the open road. Who knows, one day, you might publish a novel about your experiences.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you might even start to write a book with text-to-speech software. This way, you can write and drive at the same time.
Eat Healthy Snacks
You should keep snacking to keep your body and brain engaged while you’re driving. This will also keep you occupied, for the moment, at least.
Eating healthy snacks is important to keep your energy up. Not eating for long periods of time can cause fatigue and as though you can’t keep going.
If you’re eating snacks as a way to keep yourself entertained, make sure you’re not chomping down on unhealthy food. This can lead to not only weight gain, but crashing later on in the day. You want to stay awake and alert.
Take Naps
When you’re by yourself for long periods of time, naps can actually be entertaining. But when you’re a long haul trucker, they aren’t solely to keep you occupied. You should nap strategically while you’re on the road so that you’re always alert.
Any time you have a break after driving for long periods of time driving, make sure you curl up for a cat-nap. Even resting for a short period of time can help revitalize your body and energize you for the next long stretch on the road.
Podcasts
If books aren’t your thing, you might like listening to podcasts. Unlike audiobooks, most of them are totally free. Find a subject you’re interested in and download as many as you want. Go wild!
Listening to a podcast on the road can introduce you to new and different perspectives and educate you on a wide range of topics. They don’t always have to be intellectual either; you can listen to podcasts on practically any subject. From sports to reality TV to painting, they will be something for everyone.
Create an On the Road Playlist
If you have a hard time getting going, or you’re lagging at the end of your shift, create a playlist to jam out to while you’re driving. Load it with all of your favorite energetic songs to wake your brain up. Fill up the playlist with tunes you would ideally work out to, as these can ramp up your energy.
Don’t forget to include songs you can sing along to. After all, you’re all by yourself for most of the time when you’re driving. You don’t need to be embarrassed. Now is the time to jam out to your favorite song and exercise those vocal chords.
Stay Physically Fit
While you can’t exercise while you’re driving, you can certainly do so when you’re pulled over on the side of the road. Try to adopt some fitness routines you can do anywhere to keep your body from becoming too used to sitting.
When you’re in your truck, you might find yourself becoming totally sedentary. This can lead to low energy and weight gain.
Combat that by making sure your body is still moving, even after long periods of being seated.
This is especially important if you are aging, as blood clots become much more common as you age. The clots are often from a lack of activity, and sitting in your truck definitely doesn’t help discourage them.
Start a Portable Hobby
A portable hobby can be almost anything that you can take with you. Whether it be knitting or crocheting or playing computer Checkers, you can do all of these on your downtime.
Other portable hobbies include blogging, photography, doing a video diary or anything else that you can easily bring with you on the road.
Keep Your Life Moving on the Road
Your life doesn’t stop during your career as a long haul trucker. Instead, you can use it as an opportunity to expand your mind and take up new hobbies. While one of the major goals is to stay awake, in addition to driving carefully, all of the alone time can also be a major opportunity for self-growth and reflection. Or, you can simply use it as an opportunity to grow your book collection.
For more about life as a long haul trucker, check out our blog.
