Mental health concerns affect HGV drivers, their co-workers, friends, and family members. A driver’s mental health can affect other people who are sharing the roads. Nearly 50% of all drivers have admitted to having mental distress and/or anxiety while driving. Around 30% of drivers admitted to nearly being involved in an accident while driving.

However, many drivers ignore mental health problems. This can cause their condition to get worse. All too often, drivers are criticized for their diet and lifestyle. Equally important is their mental health, and if you are suffering from mental health issues, then you should seek professional help so you can recover as quickly as possible.

Ignoring problems is a guaranteed way to make them worse. Realizing you have a problem is the first step towards recovering. You need to admit you have a problem, with both yourself and other people in your life.

The second step is to speak to someone you trust. This can be your doctor, spouse, or friend. Opening up to others can be scary, but it is important. Remember, you shouldn’t feel ashamed about opening up about your mental health.

Consider speaking with your employer or your manager. Many employers take mental health seriously. In fact, many managers and employers genuinely want to help their employees who are suffering from mental health. See here if you are trying to get your class c license.

Tips For HGV Drivers To Maintain Good Mental Health

Be Active

HGV drivers can find it difficult to stick to an exercise routine, especially when they’re driving for long periods of time. HGV drivers who are sitting behind the wheel for hours at a time should make time to exercise. To start, you can go for a brief walk before and after your shift.

Laugh

Do stuff that makes you laugh. Whatever brightens your day is what you should do. Remember, spending time on the road and away from home can be depressing. This is why having a laugh is important.

Get Sleep

It is essential to get enough sleep, which can have a positive impact on mental health. If you don’t sleep enough, then minor issues can easily escalate to major issues. Always try to get a proper amount of sleep. Let’s not forget to mention that getting enough sleep will increase your level of focus and concentration.

Keep Your Driving Area Clean

Many HGV drivers find that they feel better when their driving area is tidy. Office workers often feel the same way. If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, then you’ll want to keep your cab as clean as possible. You’ll feel better and you won’t be distracted by a mess.

Speak With Others About Your Feelings

It’s never a good idea to keep things bottled up. Stress, depression, and anxiety can all strike when you bottle things up. Instead, you should speak to someone you trust about how you are feeling.

HGV drivers often spend a lot of time alone on the road. They usually don’t communicate with people on a regular basis. This is why it’s crucial to speak about your feelings.

Eat Healthily

While on the road, there is a lot of temptation to eat junk food. Junk food is horrible for both your physical health and your mental health. Plus, sugary snacks will only give you energy for a very short period of time. After that, you’ll crash and you’ll feel worse than before.

A high-carb and high-fat diet can devastate your mental energy. Not only that, but your body will struggle to digest food. Do your best to eat healthily, as well as consider making your own food. This could do wonders for your mental health, as well as possibly save you money in the long run.

Tim