As it was once said: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. There is certainly a lot to love about being a long-haul trucker! Flexibility, independence, opportunity to make money, and ability to travel. It also brings a lot of confidence.
As time goes by, the trucks changed a lot, offering every opportunity for comfort and making driver’s trips more enjoyable and stress-free.  We have covered a great range of gadgets and accessories in our blog post.

But not all of it comes down to gadgets. As with every work, there are things that you love, and things that annoy you. A lot of it deals with the way you organize your working and driving practices. It helps you to keep you in control.

Long Haul truck driving is more than a job, it is a lifestyle, so why not make it stress-free?

7 tips to Stress-Free long haul truck driving

1. Define your goal in a trucking career. 

We are always on the run without the time to think things over strategically. Good news – on the road you do have some time to yourself to think things over. What is your goal? To make money? To take it easy? To get comfortable routes? To become an owner-operator?

The better you understand what you really want, the easier it is to move towards. Identify your own steps to success. This way every time you move closer towards the goal you will feel accomplishment and will be proud of your achievement.

The best part of working with Xan Systems – is it offers you all the tools on the way to your personal success. Short and long trips? Truck lease program? You name it!

2.Choose the trips that work for your lifestyle 

Being on the road is stressful, although sometimes you might not feel it right away. Choose the road that fits you. Do the challenges of mountainous passage keep it interesting for you? Or you prefer the open freeway in the midwest. Check the routes and loads possibilities in those areas. 

You may opt for longer or shorter routes based on your family situation. If you prefer to stay with your family on weekends – there are routes that accommodate that. It is important to work for a company that offers you that flexibility.

3.Make your truck a comfortable place

It is a place where you spend a lot of time – yes it is ok to splurge! If you will feel comfortable it will help you prevent fatigue, and will simply make your trip a pleasure! Ergonomic seat padding, microwave, upgraded mattress, workout equipment?  After all, it is your second home!

You can read more on this here 

4.Establish a workout routine

Spending too much time in the seated position creates a lot of health problems. It is important to break the routine and use stops for even the basic workout. Of course, you have seen the drivers who continue working on their muscles or are avid bikers. Go what you are comfortable with any movement is good. Use your cabin, or take it outdoors, keep moving!

A good exercise routine will help you control weight, maintain energy levels, and prevent some chronic conditions.  

5. Build up healthy eating habits

Of course on the road, there are a lot of excuses to eat comfort or fast food. Here goes your willpower against the multibillion industry! But there are proven ways to resist it:

• Prepare food/buy ingredients for at least part of the trip
• Shop at local grocery stores
• Get microwave toaster, waffle iron – whatever keeps you off 
• Try to minimize carbs and sugar – it just keeps your cravings up

With a little bit of effort, you will keep your energy level up and weight off.

6. Keep the paperwork in order.

Nobody said “I love to organize receipts and collect documentation” – ever. Those little pieces of paper can create enough anxiety to bring on stress. For owner-operator, there is plenty of expenses that can be written off from taxes, with proper receipts and documentation.

There are different ways to organize your paperwork – from folders with dividers to apps that help you scan and save every receipt and do the totals for you. Set up the system and it will be easy to keep up the routine. Get this nightmare out of the way!

And you will be surprised how much more money you will recoup!

7. Keep your truck well maintained and road-ready 

The routine maintenance, of course, goes without saying, but there all other small things that are going on with your truck. But taking the truck to the mechanic is costly, so you hold off until it becomes a problem. It is these small things that turn into big problems in unexpected places and in the worst possible timing. 

The statistic is staggering – half of the long-haul truck accidents on North American roads are caused by those “small” problems.

When you set out on the road and have potential malfunctions on your mind, it does add a lot of unnecessary stress and might lead to very serious consequences. Risking your life and putting in jeopardy the life of others is simply not worth it.

Long haul truck driver is a great profession with so many things to enjoy! Do not let the little things stand in the way!