Truck drivers spend a significant amount on the road. Because of a driver’s work schedule, they miss out on family events, gatherings, their children's milestones and spending time with their loved ones. With the amount of time drivers spend on the road, feeling homesick is common. Feeling homesick makes being a truck driver even more difficult. While you may not be able to completely get rid of the homesick feeling, there are definitely some ways to help minimize it. If you are or someone you know is feeling homesick while on the road, here are some helpful tips for dealing with homesickness.
Keep in touch
Staying in touch with your friends and family while on the road is a great way to minimize and possibly avoid feeling homesick. A short daily phone call with your spouse or children can help you feel connected. With today’s technology, there are many different ways to connect with your loved ones while being away. Facetime, Skype, Zoom, texting, phone call, and social media are just a few of the many different ways to stay in touch.
Keep yourself busy
Being a truck driver means you spend a lot of time alone. For many people, being alone for long periods of time can cause depression and other types of mental health issues. Staying busy while on the road can help minimize the chance of feeling depressed or homesick.
A couple ways to keep yourself busy while on the road are listening to music or podcasts, exercising, playing video games, or watching a new tv series. Keeping your mind busy while being away from home is great for your overall mental health.
Bring items from home
Bringing items from your home to keep in your truck is a great way to make your truck feel more cozy and comfortable. Consider bringing your favorite pictures of your friends and family or maybe pack your favorite household items like pillows, blankets, etc. Having these items from home in your truck can help fight the homesick feeling.
Bring your pet
If your carrier allows you to truck with your pet, consider bringing your pet with you on the road. Having your pet on the road with you can help reduce the feeling of being homesick and lonely. It also can help reduce stress and anxiety, which is a common mental health issue for truck drivers.
If you are interested in trucking with your pet, check out this blog, Benefits of Trucking with Your Pet https://app.thetruckersnetwork.net/trucking-with-your-pet/