Many truckers don’t watch out for their mental health because they are too busy to focus on it in the first place. A good number of them make a lot of money and they dedicate more time in return. This continues to affect their mental health in the long run.

If truckers want to remain in business, they need to prioritize their mental health

Here are some tips they can use to get started

• Eat a great diet

What we eat has a strong impact on how we feel. Our diet has a long-term effect on our mental and physical health. If your brain and body were to function optimally, you need a good combination of nutrients for proper functioning.

Truckers need to ensure they cut down on junk and focus on diets containing the following: Water, dairy products, seeds and nuts, fruits and vegetables, cereals, etc.  

• Keep in touch with your loved ones

Truckers are too focused on their job that they forget to keep in touch with people who matter in their lives. At some point, they will need people to talk to but their strained communication would have prevented this from happening.

Truckers need to keep the lines of communication open so that they can have people who love and care for them.

• Engage in physical exercise

Most times, truckers remain on their seat all through the day. This means that they are always sedentary most of the time. Truckers need to exercise regularly to release the chemicals in the brain that makes them feel good.

With constant exercise, you can boost your self-esteem and sleep better. Lack of exercise prevents a plethora of health problems that they might not be aware of.  

• Feel free to seek help

Not all truckers are open to seeking help because they are seen as providers. However, when they feel overwhelmed, they should seek help from professionals. When some things are becoming too much, seeking help can provide a truckload of solutions for you.

Truckers are a distinct group of professionals who are exposed to tough driving situations that regular people cannot cope with.

Due to how rugged their work is, they experience an insane amount of stress that makes them oblivious to the right health measures that people take.

Therefore, they deal with stress the wrong way by engaging in unhealthy habits that make them addicted in the long run.

To help addicted truckers, you need to know the signs to look out for.

Here are some ways to help you recognize an addicted trucker

Decrease in productivity

If you want to spot an addicted trucker, one of the things you will notice is their increased reluctant disposition to work.

Once in a while, people feel tired and uninterested when it comes to showing up at their workplace.

However, the case of an addicted trucker is different. You will notice that he can take a long time away from work, and show up when he feels like it.

The primary reason is, that the addiction has taken control of his life, and his interest in his job dies gradually.

Financial problems

Another way to recognize an addicted trucker is when they begin to experience financial issues. Many truckers are well paid because of the hazardous condition of their job.

However, if you observe that they frequently run out of money, it could be that their addiction is sucking in their funds.

Secrecy

If you notice that a trucker prefers his private moments, and he spends long hours without doing anything worthwhile, he might be indulging his addiction.

Physical signs

When you notice that a trucker has a drastic change in their body structure, color of the eyes, and they experience some changes like insomnia, overweight, etc, they might be addicted.

You can easily detect this by watching out for some strange changes in their bodies.

When you observe that a trucker is addicted, you need to assist them by suggesting quality addiction treatment services to bring their health back on track.

The life of a trucker is somewhat different from other profession. All through the day or night, they are on the road behind the wheels. Truckers struggle to remain active, healthy and awake knowing fully well that the lives of people on the road is dependent on theirs.

Hence, not everyone can be a trucker because of the challenges that comes with it. It is correct to state that the life of a trucker is not for the faint-hearted.

For truckers to help themselves remain healthy and active, they need to implement some health measures:

Commit to a daily workout plan

Truckers are advised to spare around 30 minutes to work-out for about 3-4 days per week. Exercising helps to control weight and it reduces the prospects of high blood pressure.

Truckers who exercise reduce the possibility of coming down with health problems that are associated with sedentary or little movement.

Make healthier diet choices

For several truckers, they eat more of junks and alcohol instead of healthy meals and the reason is due to the unavailability of time to prepare these.

It is imperative to mention that a healthy diet prevents excess weight gain and increase in blood sugar levels. Moreso, it helps truckers sleep better and boosts their immune system.

Truckers are advised to eat more healthy diets and if they are at loss on how to proceed, it is best to seek the help of a dietitian.

Get lots of sleep

Sleep is crucial for our health and wellness. Truckers barely have enough time to sleep and the reason is because, the time they spend on the road determines how much they earn in most cases. Truckers are advised to sleep for a minimum of seven to eight hours each day to maintain optimal health.

Find ample time to relax

Truckers need to realize that it’s not about the money alone, their health and wellbeing matters. They are advised to find enough time to unwind and spend some time either alone or with their loved ones. This is one of the ways to keep the mental health of a trucker in check.

Truckers are professionals who live a life different from other group of professionals. This is an industry which attracts a broad variety of people, albeit, one trait they all share is their resilience. Trucking is not for those who are soft at heart.

There are times when there would be hazardous driving situations, bumpy landscape and several hours of being alone, and they need to surmount this before they can be regarded as being successful truckers.

The trucker leads a lifestyle which is one of the basic reasons why the job requires a distinct individual.

Most of the times, the position they find themselves is spent alone, and traveling on a regular basis, separated from family and friends could take a toll on the mental health of an individual. This is why it is often said, the life of a trucker is not for the weak of heart.

Anyone who wants to be a trucker needs to be someone who can cope being alone, and not minding if there are people around him. The person must also be naturally sturdy to tackle the challenges which comes with trucking.

Truck driving requires workers of top standards, having an appreciable level of work ethics, which includes abstinence from addiction, top safety values, a fit body, and a sound mental health. Now, truckers are the last set of people who should get addicted because it is very disadvantageous.

Professional truck drivers are usually stressed, and this is one of the reasons why they are addicted. The stress of isolation and the fierce work, can make them indulge in unhealthy habits like substance abuse.

The most common forms of addiction are drug and alcohol addiction. On a universal basis, alcohol is mostly used to reduce stress; the same applies for drugs. However, a good number of people become over-dependent on it, and it reaches a point where they cannot do without it.

Asides alcohol and drugs addiction, sex addiction is another common one among truckers. Truck drivers are advised to seek help because, addiction has the capacity to ruin all aspects of their health in the long run.

KIt is the intention and wish of every Trucker to ensure that a job done, is well delivered to the destination, and right on schedule. However, it is equally important that they take care of themselves both physically and mentally. With this, it would be effortless to deliver optimally.

It is a common sight for you to see Truckers held up in long hours of alone and sometimes, painful conditions, which has a way of affecting their general well-being.

It is essential that the following tips listed below are followed in order to keep a good mental health.

• Have a travel companion: This should be considered top on the list. If it is allowed, it is essential that you have someone who goes with you on every trip. At least, you would have someone who you would interact with throughout the journey, instead of spending long hours talking to yourself.

• Have a strong network: Also, there is a strong need for you to offer your family and friends while you are on the road. You need to ensure that you are in constant communications with them. Your loved ones would assist you in ensuring that you have people who you can turn to in moments of despair.

• Have a routine: As a trucker, in order to ensure that you keep a sane mind, it is important for you to have a routine which you would stick to. A positively outlined routine would assist you in getting things done faster and easier. Irrespective of the fact that you spend a good part of your day behind the wheel, once there is a routine in place, it would be easier for you to have ample rest when you need to.

• Ensure you exercise: Asides the fact that exercise helps to keep you in physical shape, exercising also helps you to have a positive mental state. With your routine in place, having enough exercise is very beneficial.

• Have a good diet: Just like exercise, you need a good diet to always keep you on track. A good diet is not only good for your physical shape, it is also good for your mental health as a trucker. It could be quite difficult for you to eat healthy when you are always behind the wheels, however, once your routine is in place, it would be easier for you.

The trucking industry is an important one, but sometimes the lifestyle it demands of its truckers can lead to addiction and substance abuse. Many people do not realize the ways that being a professional truck driver can be a mentally and physically taxing profession. The work of a professional trucker involves a lot of solitude. Sometimes the work can be very repetitive and boring while other times it is demanding and stressful. Like any work that places these strains on its employees, truckers frequently take relief in substance abuse and addiction, on and off the job, creating a very bad situation for themselves and other drivers alike.

The constant solitude of trucking is one aspect of it that pushes many truckers into substance abuse and addiction. Some feel the heavy weight of loneliness in their profession and try to drown it out through drugs, alcohol, sex or some other pleasure inducing thing. Others begin to feel detached and mentally unstable due to the solitude and turn to substance abuse and addiction in order to be distracted, which as most of us know, actually only worsens the problem. The long term affects of substance abuse and addiction are further isolation and instability.

Some truckers experience immense boredom and a lack of stimulation because of their jobs. Trucking can begin to feel very repetitive to many truckers. Despite driving through scenic areas, the tasks of the job can become very mundane. Truckers who cannot deal with this aspect often experiment with substances or processes in order to make their jobs more interesting. Some truckers have gone as far as to use dangerous drugs, such as meth and cocaine, while they are driving, putting themselves and other motorists in danger.

Because of tight schedules and demanding expectations within the trucking industry, sometimes heavy burdens fall on truckers shoulders. They may be expected to work as many as 14-hours in a shift, then are barely permitted a full night’s sleep before they are assigned another 14-hour shift, and entire weeks can play out like this. Some trucking companies push the regulations of how hard they can work their truckers to the absolute limits. In order to cope with the stress, truckers frequently experiment with addictive substances and behaviors.

Professional truck drivers who are struggling with addiction need to be aware of ways of conquering addiction that are particularly suited to them. Professional truck drivers hold challenging work positions, full of reward but also full of hardship. Their jobs call for a great deal of physical and mental strength that not everyone can put forward. Many truck drivers struggle with addiction due to professional stress which makes them a danger to themselves and to other drivers. It is very important that any professional truck driver who is struggling with addiction realizes the value of recovery and works toward it, however they have to.

Inpatient treatment refers to residential rehabilitation, the form of treatment that involves living on site in a treatment facility for 30, 60 or 90 days. Inpatient treatment is known as the most effective way of treating addiction problems and is intended for advanced cases of addiction. Most truck driving professionals take a leave of absence from their work in order to submit to inpatient treatment.

Outpatient treatment is similar to counseling, but is more intensive. The counseling sessions, exercises, readings and therapeutic activities are more frequent and thorough than in counseling, and the duration of time they continue for is set to a schedule. Outpatient rehab programs that are tailored to trade workers will frequently work around the individual’s work schedule to arrange for treatment.

Counseling is great for those who’s addictions are less severe, but are strong enough to require professional help. If you are a truck driver who is used to doing things for yourself but are becoming aware of the need for help with addiction, counseling is great place to start because it is a minimal commitment.

Support groups are effective for those who are struggling with addiction but who have not lost total control and want to try recovering in a more independent way. Support groups meet sporadically, so a trucker is able to maintain their work schedule and still appear for meetings. The concept of a support group is to have others who understand your struggles encourage you through your personal addiction challenges.

Professional truck drivers face some of the most challenging situations a working professional can face. The stress that amounts because of these challenges is the kind that many people are unequipped to deal with. Unlike in many businesses, truck drivers work alone. If something goes wrong or they are in need, a phone and a radio are the only connection they have to people they know who can support them. Therefore, truck drivers are forced to be fiercely independent workers, and the stress of isolation can lead many into unhealthy habits, such as addiction and substance abuse.

Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions that truck drivers face. Alcohol is used universally to reduce stress, but is also one of the most commonly abused substances for people who cannot limit themselves. It is very common for people to try to self medicate using alcohol and end up being far too dependent on it. Truck drivers largely have the sense not to abuse alcohol while they are driving (although some do not), but many turn to it at the end of shifts to wind down for the night.

Drug use is another addiction seen frequently among truck drivers. This addiction also applies primarily to off work hours, but some truckers abuse drugs on the job, creating a very dangerous situation for themselves and for everyone on the road. Many truckers come to a point where they cannot stand the silence and solitude of their truck cab any longer and begin experimenting with drugs to change their perception of things.

Sex addiction is the other most common outlet for addictive tendencies in truckers. The lonely time spent in the cab of the truck often leaves truckers sexually frustrated and seeking an outlet. Sadly, many of them turn to prostitution, pornography or promiscuity to ease sexual tension and become addicted to sex in doing so.

If you or someone close to you is a trucker in need of addiction treatment, seek help today. You should be aware that there are rehabilitation programs created specifically for people in trade jobs such as trucking. Programs are available that are suited entirely to your needs.

Professional truck drivers live a unique type of life that is not quite like the life of any other working professional. The trucking industry attracts a wide variety of people, some good and some bad, but the one thing they all have in common is how tough they are. Truck driving is not for the weak of heart. There are dangerous driving situations, rugged landscape and many hours of solitude that one must confront in order to be a successful truck driver. People often know fairly quickly if trucking works for them or if it does not.

The lifestyle of a trucker is one of the primary reasons the job calls for a unique individual. The position is almost entirely spent traveling in solitude. Constantly being on the road means a great deal of time is spent separated from the home and support system. This can become very mentally taxing on some people and it is one of the main reasons people move on from trucking jobs. One must be all right with pulling up their roots in order to be a successful truck driver. A person should also be naturally tough and brave to face the challenges of trucking.

The work conditions a person encounters as a truck driver require a strong, sturdy personality. On a good day, the worker will be confined to the cab of a truck alone for many hours at a time, sometimes as many as fourteen hours, and will bare the burden of operating a very large vehicle across the state or country. On a bad day, there could be inclement, winding roads, mechanical failures or traffic accidents that one has to take in stride on top of the daily challenges that exist for professional truckers.

Truck driving calls for workers of the highest standards, with a good work ethic, strong safety values, a mind for mechanics, an able body and strong mental health and stability. A number of people attempt a career in trucking and realize they are not cut out for it, so those who are a good match for it are very valuable to the industry.

Any career that demands long hours and extreme conditions has the potential to push the worker into mental and physical stress, which are one of several segues into addiction and substance abuse. Add danger on the job and separation from comfort and support systems to the profession and you have an idea of what it is like to be a professional truck driver in Canada. It is shocking to many that truck drivers statistically struggle with addiction and substance abuse, considering the public safety threat that these problems pose to their profession. However, on-the-job stress is universally a trigger of addiction and substance abuse, and the trucking industry is no exception.

This is not to say that truck driving is without its benefits. Many truck drivers love the travel opportunities and the lure of the open road that the profession provides them. However, the negative elements of the job can push some to seek unhealthy stress outlets. The hours can be considerably longer than in other professions, and the mileage expectations can be heavy. The solitude and cab surroundings can also become very mentally taxing and make some feel stir crazy or imbalanced. The repetitive posture of driving can be hard on the body as well. Some truck driving positions also call for navigating dangerous conditions. Canadian winters can create deadly driving conditions, such as white outs and black ice, and regional trucking such as Fort McMurray jobs can demand operation of some of the biggest trucks on earth.

Many Canadian truckers turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with these negative job aspects. A majority of truck drivers have enough sense of responsibility to stay sober on the job, but there are some that become entrenched in addiction and make a habit out of using substances on the job, or simply make bad substance abuse judgments and decide to experiment with substances on the job. There have been instances of truckers causing major deadly accidents on Canadian highways and freeways while under the influence. Needless to say, it is vital that society connects truckers who are struggling with addiction and substance abuse to necessary treatment before lives are endangered, destroyed or ended.

Addiction treatment centers and residential rehabs are very familiar with the connection between difficult trade jobs and addiction. In fact, there are even programs that focus on addiction and substance abuse in trades such as trucking, with staff members who frequently come from the same lifestyle as the clients and represent the ability to fully recover.

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