Trucking is a lifestyle, not just a job. This lifestyle change can be a big adjustment for those who are new to the industry. Here are some important words of advice for new truck drivers.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Trucking is a tough, isolating job. You’ll be spending many hours alone on the road. Long-haul truckers will be away from their families for weeks or even months as they transport their cargo.
It’s important to invest in your mental health to combat the stress of the job. Make time every day to call home; whether it’s a significant other, family, or friends, you have people back home who want to hear from you. Those nightly phone calls will work wonders to prevent you from feeling disconnected from your family and friends.
If you struggle with loneliness or depression—both common afflictions among truckers—consider bringing a pet along with you. It’s very common to see dogs keeping their owners company at truck stops!
It’s also important to get enough sleep each night. Make time to relax outside of sleeping, or read a good book and watch a show you love. Prioritize your health and happiness above the job, otherwise you will burn out quickly.
Eat Healthy Meals
While it’s easy and accessible, we strongly recommend avoiding fast food when you can. Not only does it get expensive quickly and cut your profits, but it can also cause long-term damage to your health. Many truck drivers develop heart problems later in life due to their diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Stock up on healthy snacks to keep in your cab—beef jerky, fruit, and nuts are good options. Choose coffee over energy drinks if you need a boost, as energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar. Invest in a mini fridge and microwave for your truck. This allows you to stock up on microwavable and ready-made meals from the grocery store. These meals are not only easily accessible, but also often more affordable and healthier than fast food.
Protect Your Cargo
These are perhaps the most important words of advice for new truck drivers: drive safe. Driving recklessly can hurt you or others, cause expensive damage to your truck, and irreparably damage your cargo. Get enough tickets for speeding or driving dangerously, and you can get your CDL suspended.
With all that in mind, it’s best to drive safely; it’s better to arrive late than not at all.
As a trucker, a loss in cargo means a loss in profits. In addition to driving safely, invest in load-securement products to keep your cargo stable. Logistick makes high-quality, durable cargo-securing products to keep your truck’s load safe until the end of the trip.
Get in touch with us to learn more. Our dedicated team is always happy to answer any questions.