Experiencing Burnout? Use These Tips To Feel Re-energized!

Anyone in any field can experience burnout, which happens when a job becomes too repetitive or tiresome. According to merriam-webster.com, burnout means “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” For truckers, burnout can come from working with stressful people or simply just from driving too much. Here are some tips to help you handle burnout!

Keep your schedule in check

The first thing you can do to start fixing (or avoid) burnout is to adjust your schedule. This means not overworking yourself as well as keeping a regular sleep schedule. If you are able to, drive only during the day and sleep at night. This will give you a more normal schedule. When you aren’t working, make sure to fill your time with other activities like family picnics, movies, and even short vacations. Have someone else drive, too, to help keep your mind out of work mode.

Handle stressful situations

You can’t completely avoid stressful situations, but you can control how you handle them. The goal is to stay calm when you feel stressed as well as reduce stress in your everyday life. Here are some tips to help you reach these goals.

1. Don’t let the small stuff get to you.
2. Try not to have road rage.
3. Let go of things that you can’t control.
4. Focus on yourself and your job, rather than on something that is causing you stress.
5. Don’t rush yourself, especially when driving.
6. Make sure to take regular breaks.

Remember to take time to relax. You can do this on the road and when you’re at home. For example, you can listen to calming music or a sound machine to wind down at bedtime. You can also enjoy educational podcasts, take time to do things you enjoy like reading or swimming, and even keep up with a fitness routine.

Take care of your health

Staying healthy is one of the best methods for preventing and getting over burnout. There are many ways you can get healthier that won’t drastically change your lifestyle.

The first is eating better. You don’t have to change everything you eat, but start with small changes to your diet. You can invest in portable cooking equipment and a refrigerator and cook at least one healthier meal a week. Try setting goals like drinking less sugary drinks and more water, or eating a side of vegetables instead of french fries.

Next, sleep at night instead of during the day. If your hours don’t allow you to do this, make sure to at least have a healthy sleep schedule and good habits. You should be sure to get enough sleep, as well as take steps to get good quality rest. Use curtains that block out light, don’t use your phone too late, and avoid caffeine late in the day. Tip: Don’t count out sleep apnea if you aren’t getting good quality sleep. This is a health condition that negatively affects breathing and more.

Finally, don’t neglect fitness. It may not be the easiest thing to do when you’re on the road, but you can still exercise! You don’t have to worry about gym memberships, since you may not be home often enough to use them. Consider going for a walk or run when you have free time or using weights that you can store under a seat or your bed.

Combatting fatigue

Part of burnout is fatigue, which can be physical, mental, or both. This is different than just being frustrated or needing a break for lunchtime. Fatigue can actually cause dangerous issues like reduced reaction time and even signs of depression. Truck drivers should be aware of how to prevent fatigue because it can be dangerous for them and for others on the road. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. You should always get enough sleep, especially before driving. If you start to feel drowsy, pull over somewhere safe as soon as you can.
2. Learn the signs of fatigue. These include frequent yawning, blurred vision, lane drifting, rubbing your face often, and feeling irritable.
3. Don’t drive while on medications that cause drowsiness.
4. Eat healthy and do not skip meals. Your body depends on what you put into it.

Working with Kimrad Transport, LP

If you’re looking for a trucking company that values the safety of its drivers as well as professionalism, Kimrad Transport, LP in Amarillo, Texas is looking for YOU. We offer a variety of benefits to our truck drivers and team members, including insurance, retirement plans, updated equipment, paid training, and more! We have multiple locations as well to help keep drivers closer to home.

To learn more About Us or to Apply for a position, give us a call at 1 (866) 359-3882. You can also Contact Us by email for more information.