The open road can be a trucker’s best friend and biggest challenge. With long hours of driving and stretches of solitude, it’s no wonder many truckers struggle with loneliness. But in this digital age, staying connected has never been easier. Dive into this ultimate guide and discover actionable strategies to tackle solitude and nurture connections, no matter the miles that lie between.
1. The reality of loneliness in trucking
Being away from home for several weeks has been shown to take a toll on truckers’ mental well-being. Along with that, disrupted sleep schedules and stress can increase their longing for home. Isolation can affect your health by increasing fatigue and tiredness, which can directly impact your driving performance and present a safety risk, affect your concentration and ability to focus, or even lead to insomnia.
Working in such a challenging industry requires sacrifices, but your health should always be your priority. Super Ego is always keen to help, so we have researched ways to battle loneliness, stay connected with others, and spend quality time together, even when you’re hundreds of miles away.
2. Apps and tools for staying connected with loved ones
Video Calls: Tools like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime bring faces from home to the cab of your truck. Regularly video-calling your family and friends and sharing bits about your day will help keep you connected and in the loop.
Social Media/Messengers: Platforms and messengers like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram help you keep up with daily updates from family and friends. It allows you to connect with anyone, anywhere. Whether you’re missing your family at home or a friend who moved to Europe years ago, you won’t miss out on any of their important life events thanks to social media.
Virtual Check-ins: Apps like Audible and Kindle allow truckers to read along with their families or even have shared book clubs. If books aren’t your cup of tea, you can stream movies simultaneously. Multiplayer games are another fun activity that will help you enjoy quality time together.
Scheduling some time to reconnect with your important people and share fun activities, even when you aren’t physically close, can help strengthen your relationships. COVID has impacted us in many ways, but one positive thing that came out of it is that app creators have made numerous apps that help you feel less lonely and allow you to keep in touch with the people you miss in many different ways.
3. The best tips for truckers we can think of
Consider taking company; having someone on board may help you feel less lonely. Team driving can have its pros and cons, which we’ve already talked about in the past. If you aren’t used to spending your days by yourself, this may be the solution. If you aren’t exactly a people person, you should consider having a pet on board with you, and you can also find tips on driving with your pet here. A third option is to have your loved one be a passenger in the truck with you. Super Ego has a pet and passenger policy specially tailored to help our drivers combat solitude and take care of their health.
Remember to take care of your mental well-being – apps like Headspace or Calm will help you find peace on the road. As we already mentioned, isolation can impact your health. So it is very important to also devote some time to focusing on yourself. Try meditating, joining support groups on social media, or having mental health check-ins with professionals.
To help keep your mind sharp, you should also nurture your physical health. Simple exercises and routines will help keep the body active and boost your feel-good hormones. Good nutrition and proper water intake are also crucial to keeping you healthy in all aspects.
To reduce the silence as much as possible, you can also get a CB radio and chat with other truckers or listen to music and podcasts, but remember to do so responsibly. Alternatively, Discord voice channels can help make you feel like you have company. You can join specific channels that include your interests and even listen to them while you drive.
Distance may pose a challenge, but with the right tools and mindset, truckers in 2023 can remain close to their friends and family. Embrace technology, prioritize mental health, and remember that the road may be long, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.
Stay connected: For more resources and strategies tailored for truckers, subscribe to our newsletter and join a community that supports one another, mile after mile.