Truck Driver Stress: 5 Ways to Manage Frustration on the Road

Stress. It’s unavoidable really, especially in the trucking industry where unpredictability is a common theme. Truckers are constantly fighting bad weather conditions, distracted drivers, dealing with difficult shipping & receiving personnel as well as unrealistic deadlines, all of which definitely cause some truck driver stress in even the most laid-back person. Not only does stress cause impatience and frustration, but it can affect your body and the way it functions!

Stress is your body’s reaction and way of dealing with any change that requires a response. Stress becomes a negative thing when while facing constant daily challenges, you don’t take time to relax and unwind. Stress can have a tremendous effect on your body without you even realizing it.

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of stress:

• Headaches

• Upset stomach

• Elevated blood pressure

• Chest pain & shortness of breath

• Sleeping problems

• Fatigue

• Anxiety and depression

Stress can also worsen any pre-existing conditions or illnesses you may already have.

What is one of the most important things you can do to help reduce and manage your stress levels, besides getting the proper amount of rest? Exercise! Any exercise ranging from high-impact cardio to yoga can help you reduce the negative effect stress has on your body.

Here are some ways in which regular physical activity helps reduce the effects of stress:

• It pumps up the production of endorphins, your brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitters. This is often referred to as the “runners high”.
• It gives you a better outlook on managing your circumstances and helps you forget the day’s minor frustrations.
• It improves your overall mood, self-confidence, and sense of well-being.
• It helps lower symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety.
• It improves your quality of sleep.

Clearly, the result of adding physical activity into your lifestyle is a plus. Along with helping to relive and manage stress, you will feel stronger, have more energy, self-confidence, and a more positive attitude. The next step is putting exercise & stress relief in motion.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

• Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
• Build up your fitness level gradually. You don’t want to overdo it and hurt yourself.
• Do something you enjoy like running, swimming, biking, weight training, or yoga. If you like what you’re doing, you have a better chance of sticking with it.
• Make the time. This is a hard one, especially in the trucking industry. As I said before, if you have to break your exercise time into smaller intervals to fit them in, then do it!
• Stick with it. Some tools to help you stick with a routine are setting goals for yourself, connect with friends to help motivate each other and change up your workouts to keep it interesting.

I hope these tips help you to have a better understanding of how stress affects your body and the benefits of incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.

As always, keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down and make healthy choices!