The Importance Of Taking Care Of Your Health

The mental health of HGV drivers is very important since it not only affects you but also your relatives, friends, and even your co-workers. The mental health of a driver also impacts other people who used the roadways as well. According to statistics, 40% of drivers feel mentally uneasy, distressed, or anxious while they are driving. 30% of these drivers have indicated that they have had near misses while driving while being anxious.

With that said, the majority of drivers ignore these problems which make their mental health worsen. Most drivers are regularly criticised due to their diet and lifestyle, however, besides physical health, mental health is extremely important. So, if you’re having problems with your mental health, it is imperative that you go to a doctor to get help so you can recover.

If you choose to ignore these problems, then they will surely worsen. The first thing you need to do in order to be successful with treatment is to understand that you have a problem and let others know as well.

You should try to open up to a person that is close to you that you trust such as your spouse, doctor, or even a good friend. Even though this is scary, it is extremely important for rehabilitation. You should not feel afraid or even embarrassed to speak about your own health and mental health in particular.

It is also a good idea to talk to your employer about the tips on choosing the right HGV training school. In most cases, they would have noticed changes in you and most employers take these issues seriously and do all they can to assist.

Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health As An HGV Driver

1. Be active

It may seem challenging to get enough time to exercise when you’re driving for such long periods. With that said, it is critical that you keep active since you spend so many hours sitting in a small space. You should think about making some small changes to exercise either after your shift has ended or before it starts.

2. Laugh

You should always take some time to find humour in life since it can get quite lonely driving all the time. This is even more important if you spend a lot of nights from your home and your loved ones.

3. Sleep

It cannot be emphasised enough, but getting enough sleep and good quality sleep is extremely important and in particular, for your mental health. If you don’t get enough sleep, small annoyances throughout the day can quickly become bigger problems.

Additionally, as an HGV driver, you will need to concentrate while driving in order to do your job well. This means that you will need a calm and clear mind from getting enough sleep.

4. Ensure your driving area is clean

The majority of drivers feel a lot better when their work area is clean and well organised. This is the same for many office workers who find that they are more productive when their work area is neat and clean. Remember, as a driver, you’ll spend most of your day in the cab, and having a messy area would be distracting.

5. Talk about your feelings

It is a terrible idea to bottle up your emotions and frustrations. If you don’t talk about them or vent them, they can easily lead to depression, stress, and anxiety. So, you should always talk to someone you trust regularly so you can process your thoughts and emotions.

Due to the fact that most HGV drivers work alone most of the day, it is essential that you talk to others so that you don’t experience a build-up of negative thoughts and feelings.

6. Prepare healthy food

Many drivers are tempted to simply eat junk food every day, however, this is terrible for your physical and mental health.

Even though junk food and sugary snacks provide quick energy, you’ll also experience a crash after. Also, when you eat junk foods filled with carbs and fats, they will drain you mentally and are also difficult to digest.

Tim