Reducing Driver Stress
For hauliers and their drivers stress is an accepted part of the job. But finding ways to manage and reduce stress wherever possible can help reduce accidents, promote better driver health and make for a more pleasant workplace.
Driving for a living is a stressful business. A recent survey found that half of logistics companies have seen a rise in employee stress as well as anxiety and other mental health issues. Caused by a range of factors such as road conditions, other drivers, and delivery deadlines, stress is an occupational hazard for hauliers and their drivers. That doesn’t mean that it should be ignored: too much stress can, in the short term, lead to more accidents and in the longer term, create health issues for drivers.
The good news is, there are some simple steps that hauliers can take to reduce stress and its impact on their drivers including dietary changes, better sleep, exercise, route planning, and even by adopting a healthier mindset.
Eat Better for a Better Mood Let’s take diet first. It’s easy as a driver to load up on unhealthy carbohydrate rich and fatty foods; they are cheap and easily available but not good for you. Eventually these ‘fast foods’ will impact your health. So, try substituting that side helping of chips with vegetables, and look for more nutritious snacks such as nuts – which are also good for brain power. Drinking more water and fewer soft drinks will help too.
Sleep to De-Stress Everyone knows how a sleep deficit can impact work performance but for occupations like driving it’s particularly critical to be well rested, not just to ensure the mind is properly on the job but also to help reduce stress levels. That means getting seven to eight hours of sleep on a regular basis to ensure a well-balanced emotional, mental and physical state.
Take Regular Exercise Taking regular exercise can be one of the hardest things to schedule in a busy work life. But lots of research shows that as little as 15-20 minutes of exercise each day is enough to boost energy levels and help the mind stay focused. That could mean simply going for an active walk at a truck stop, or taking every opportunity to do some simple stretches. Another idea is to focus on your breathing. There are plenty of breathing exercises you can do while driving which help to keep you calm when the traffic, for example, is holding you up.
Be Prepared Pre-planning your route is important to help reduce the stress of trying to find your destination while you drive. Also, make sure you know what to do and who to call if there is a problem with the vehicle. In the cab, why not have a stress ball handy in those moments of high stress, and a cooling towel can be a welcome and calming addition during a hot drive.
Be Mindful We’ve all heard about mindfulness in recent years but for a driver – always focused on the next drop off point – it can be beneficial to ‘live in the moment’ and enjoy the ride. That could just mean taking in the scenery, but it could also be by playing some music or a good podcast. All these can help your mood and relieve stress.
Finding a Calmer, Happier Experience No one says you can eliminate stress completely but through steps like these, it is possible to reduce the damaging consequences of too much stress and make the working day (or night) a calmer and happier experience.
To discuss any of the issues raised in this article, please contact the Hauliers Team on 03301 624 992.
This article has been compiled using information available up to 01/05/22. Whilst care has been taken in the production of this document, Aon does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of the document or any part of it and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. Any recipient shall be responsible for the use to which it puts this document. This document has been compiled using information available to us up to its date of publication and is subject to any qualifications made in this document.