Trucking jobs in Nashville, TN can be great opportunities to make a living while also seeing our beautiful country. These long trips provide a view of the countryside that not many people will have the opportunity to become so intimately acquainted with.
However, this aspect of trucking jobs that is so attractive can sometimes turn into a challenge. Frequent, long trips means the driver is forced to spend a large amount of time on their own.
How do you battle boredom?
Even the most exciting jobs can become a little monotonous once in a while. This is simply a product of performing the same function over and over. The career can still be fulfilling, but an increased need for stimulation can sometimes arise.
Here are 6 tips for truck drivers to keep themselves occupied and engaged even during the long trips.
1. Audible Storytelling
Nothing holds our attention like a good story. This is why it’s so easy to roll through an entire season of a TV show in one weekend when we are home. This ability to get lost in a story is available to us on the road, as well.
Podcasts are a great way to get lost in the narrative of another person. There are so many options that you are sure to find something you can enjoy no matter what you are interested in.
This could take the form of experts discussing a favorite topic of yours, or serialized storytelling over the course of multiple episodes.
Audiobooks are another great option. There are plenty of apps you can download directly to your phone and listen through a long-form narrative which will occupy many hours of your next drive.
2. Self-Improvement
Every stop along the way is an opportunity to get in a little exercise. This will not only improve your mood and general health, it will also give you something to look forward to while you are on the road.
You can also use the time in the truck to study a new skill, such as a new language. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time? This is a perfect opportunity to expand your breadth of knowledge. There are a variety of lessons that can be downloaded and listened to in the cab of your truck.
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3. Calling Friends and Family
Simple speaking with a loved one can make the time fly by. Phones can often be hooked up to the speaker system within the truck so you can continue to keep two hands on the wheel as you speak with a friend or family member.
4. Learn About Your Surroundings
Information is easily available now that smartphones have become so ubiquitous. Use this to your advantage! Learn about your next stop. Were there any notable events in the city? Were any historical figures from the area? Is there anything interesting that might be worth a quick visit?
Turning each town into a destination instead of another road sign on a long trip keeps you engaged and interested as you travel. Trucking jobs in Nashville, TN have to keep the destination and the task at the forefront of their thoughts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself along the way.
5. Get a Lot of Sleep
What happens at night might not seem like it affects how you feel during the day, but it does. A tired mind and body are more susceptible to drifting attention, bad moods, and an inability to enjoy the trip.
Allow yourself enough time to get a full night of sleep. It can be tempting to get back on the road as soon as you can, but you need to take care of yourself while you’re out there. Focus on getting sleep and eating well. Your mind will be stronger. You’ll be more able to enjoy the other aspects of this list when your body isn’t hungry for sleep.
6. Listen to Music
This tip might seem obvious because it’s been available to truckers since the beginning. Listening to music is a great way to get wrapped up in the moment and beat the boredom of a long day.
And just how our phones give us the ability to listen to podcasts and make phone calls, they also allow us to listen to almost anything we want to at any time. We are no longer at the mercy of the local radio stations.
Apps like Spotify allow you to search for whatever music you like. And if you’re in the mood for something new, you can make your own personalized radio station based on artists and albums you enjoy that will play similar music.
