Author: Christina DeBusk

The true costs of a sitting truck

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Trucks can become stationary due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes they break down and need to be fixed before they’re able to return to the road. Or you may not have someone available to operate the truck as a result of the current driver shortage.

Regardless of the reason, having a truck that doesn’t leave your yard or facility can impact your company in a number of different ways. What are the true costs of a sitting truck?

Decreased revenue

You can have the most efficient manufacturing process in the world but if you aren’t able to deliver the items you make, this doesn’t matter. You can’t complete the revenue chain. This makes the delivery of your goods just as important to the financial health of your company as creating efficient operational processes.

Freight Waves reports that the average truck brings in revenues somewhere between $2,800 and $5,000 per week depending on the truck type (refrigerated, flatbed, etc.). Therefore, if you have a truck that sits for any length of time, or you have many trucks out of commission, this can really eat into your bottom line.

Missed delivery deadlines

Not only does a sitting truck mean less money coming into your company but it also means an increased risk of missing your delivery deadlines. Logistically, you can’t expect to continue to deliver the same amount if your method of delivery—a.k.a. the number of trucks you have on the road—has been reduced.

When your customers aren’t getting their goods in a timely manner, your relationship with them can take a major hit. Depending on how often this is an issue, the damage could eventually reach a point where it is beyond repair. Once this occurs, you’ve likely lost them for good.

Lower service quality

If you are a service-based business, having an inoperable or unmanned truck equates to lower service quality. You may not be able to respond to your customers as quickly as you’d like.

This one factor alone can cause your customer to seek out your competitor instead. Even if your competition doesn’t offer the same level of expertise or have competitive pricing, the customer may decide that a quicker response is worth sacrificing in one or both of these areas.

Reduced productivity

It goes without saying that for every hour or every day your truck isn’t on the road, your company’s productivity declines. You aren’t able to move as many goods or handle as many service calls as you could with a fully operational fleet. It simply isn’t possible.

This reduced productivity in equipment may cause you to push your employees harder in an attempt to make up for some of the loss. While this type of approach may be understandable, increasing the productivity in one area to make up for the loss in another, it can actually have the opposite effect. Pushing employees too hard increases their risk of burnout, reducing your company’s productivity even more.

Limiting the impact of a sitting truck

Conducting regular maintenance on your truck fleet can help reduce the risk of mechanical issues large enough to interrupt your delivery processes. Catching problems before they start or fixing them when they are relatively minor is also typically less costly than waiting until a truck breaks down before instituting some type of repair.

If your sitting truck is due to not having enough drivers, Centerline can help. We have a variety of staffing solutions available, enabling you to pick the one that best suits your company and its driver-related needs.

Dive deeper into the true cost of a sitting truck with this infographic or contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get all of your trucks on the road, reducing your costs in all of these areas. 

Hire drivers with these soft skills & you’ll be glad you did

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

When hiring a new driver, it’s important to find someone who knows how to operate a truck, has a good driving record, and can navigate traffic like a pro. But a driver’s soft skills—the non-technical skills that impact the ways in which they work—are equally as critical.

Here are a few delivery driver soft skills that, if present in your new hire, are signs that they will likely be a great addition to your driving team.

Positive attitude

An employee’s attitude can affect the entire team. If they’re always positive, they tend to lift the team up. If they are negative most of the time, they’ll likely bring the rest of the team down.

Since a driver is face-to-face with your customers, it’s even more important that they have an upbeat demeanor. If they leave your customer with positive vibes, these feelings will often extend to the company itself, improving your reputation as a result.

One way to assess a job candidate’s attitude is to ask questions about how they feel about driving, what their goals are in their career, and how they’ve dealt with issues in previous jobs. Their answers will give you an idea as to whether they have a more positive or negative approach.

Look for a driver with a positive attitude and you’ll be doing your entire workplace a favor…both from the inside out and outside in. 

Good communicator

Because drivers spend a majority of their days outside of the company’s four walls, having good communication skills is necessary. They need to be able to not only tell you when a problem arises but also be able to explain what is going on with enough clarity and detail to help you provide a solution.

How do you know whether a new hire may be a good communicator? Give them a scenario that they may face as a driver, such as the truck breaking down, and ask them how they would explain it to their supervisor. Make the situation more realistic by role-playing the conversation.

Look for whether they can explain what is going on clearly. Do they provide enough information to begin to resolve the issue without sharing details that likely don’t matter? 

Time management

Who would you rather hire as a driver: someone who knows how to effectively manage their time or someone who is late more often than not? Time management is a positive trait in many industries but especially important within the transportation of goods. If these goods don’t arrive on time, you’re likely to lose your customer’s business.

To learn more about how the driving candidate deals with time, ask how their family and friends would describe them. Are they always the person who arrives 10 minutes early or 20 minutes late? Whatever they’re like in their personal lives, they’re probably going to be the same on the job.

Problem-solving skills

Since drivers spend a lot of time on their own, it’s also important that they have good problem-solving skills. Certainly, they can always call on management to help them if they’re in a sticky situation, but it’s just as critical that they are able to solve some issues on their own.

To assess a job candidate’s problem-solving skills, give them a situation that can occur while on the road. Maybe they’re running behind in their deliveries or face an unexpected traffic jam. Ask how they would deal with the situation. Are they able to solve the problem effectively or do they seem a bit lost and unsure what to do? If they seem unsure, do they at least know how to reach out to someone who can help them?

Team player

Though driving is a solo job, your new hire will still be a member of the team. As such, having a team mentality increases the likelihood that they will act and behave in a way that benefits everyone at the company versus only looking out for themselves.

To figure out whether someone is a team player, ask what they would do if they knew another driver or team member wasn’t pulling their weight or was having issues that negatively impacted their work output. How would they respond?

Would they intervene for the good of the team or would they do nothing because they didn’t feel that it was their responsibility? Someone who is willing to help pull other members up and hold them accountable is someone who will raise the standards of the team as a whole.

Need help recruiting amazing drivers? Centerline can help. Learn about how we can keep your business moving forward.

7 ways to help reduce the driver shortage

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Companies everywhere are having trouble finding and retaining qualified drivers, with one Pennsylvania-based news source reporting that the trucking industry as a whole is “on the verge of crisis” due to increasing driver shortages.

Smart Trucking adds that many drivers are leaving their jobs in an attempt to find work that pays more, offers better benefits, and provides more appealing working conditions.

What can your business do to minimize the effects of the driver shortage so you can continue to provide your goods and services? Here are a few options to consider.

1. Increase driver pay

If drivers are looking for other types of work because they can earn a higher income, one potential solution to the driver shortage is to increase the amount your business pays. Not only can this convince more experienced drivers to stay in this line of work, but it also helps you stand out as an employer due to offering a higher rate of pay than your competitors.

2. Offer a sign-on bonus

A second option is to attract new drivers with a sign-on bonus. This type of lump-sum payment can be incredibly appealing, especially if the prospective employee has been off work for any length of time. The Hartford explains that a sign-on bonus is generally somewhere between 5% and 20% of the position’s starting salary. These monies can either be paid upfront or after the new employee has stayed with the company for a specified period of time.

3. Improve your benefits

If increasing pay or offering a sign-on bonus aren’t viable options, your company can still appeal to more driver applicants by improving the benefits you provide. This includes benefits or packages related to health insurance, disability insurance and retirement. Additional benefits that could increase your company’s appeal without being a major expense are offering more days off per year, flexible scheduling and increased vacation time.

4. Provide new driver training

Another way for your company to circumvent the driver shortage is by providing training to people who are interested in this line of work but don’t have the required skills. Depending on the size of your business and the number of drivers you employ, you may decide to provide this type of training in-house or outsource it to an already established driver training agency. Either way, structuring training into your new-hire process helps ensure that your drivers are ready for the road.

5. Create a mentorship program

New drivers can sometimes be apprehensive about going out on their own. One way to help relieve this stress is to create a mentorship program. Pair a new driver with an experienced driver so the new driver has someone they can reach out to whenever they have questions. Giving a new employee a mentor also strengthens the bonds they have with the company, increasing the likelihood that they will want to stick around long-term.

6. Give referral rewards

Businesses pay big money to headhunters as their average fee is often between 20% and 25% of the open position’s first-year salary according to the job search site Indeed. You can pay much less and get just as good employees by having your current employees provide this service for you. This is generally referred to as a referral reward. Giving a reward encourages your staff to help you find high-quality drivers by reaching out to their network. It also shows them that you value their input, making them feel like a more important part of the team.

7. Listen to your current drivers

Facing a driver shortage is bad enough. Contributing to it is even worse. One way to ensure that you have the drivers needed to serve your customer base is to retain those you currently have. This requires listening to what they have to say about working for your business. Is there a common theme that appears to be contributing to your drivers’ unhappiness? If so, addressing it immediately can make them want to stay because they see that you’re trying to improve their on-the-job experience.

Struggling to get enough drivers for your operation? We can help. Contact Centerline today to keep your trucks moving.

Why it’s important for drivers to have work-life balance

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Seventy-two percent of U.S. employees say that work-life balance is very important to them. Yet, more than half (60%) admit that finding and keeping some type of equilibrium between their job and home life is a struggle. What happens if the person who is grappling with this issue works as a driver?

Effects of poor work-life balance for drivers

One piece of research sought to find the answer by questioning 1,992 truck drivers about their work schedules, sleep behaviors, and symptoms of excessive fatigue. It found that reduced sleep during the workweek—whether due to working long days, working overtime or working night shifts—was associated with a “marked increase in fatigue.”

The authors indicated that this problem was especially important for truck drivers as they have the highest risk of overwork-related cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.

What makes this especially troubling is that drivers are already at a disadvantage both mentally and physically, again, mainly because of their work schedules.

For example, one study reports that working irregular shifts causes this group of employees to have a high rate of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Another study found that a driver’s typical work schedule can also impact their psychoemotional health.

Low work-life balance equals increased turnover

Poor work-life balance doesn’t only impact the health of the driver. If the scales are tipped too much to the work side of things, it can also cause them to quit their job. A 2019 Bustle survey found that almost 40% of the respondents decided to leave an employer because they didn’t have a desirable balance between home and work.

A high turnover rate can prevent companies from meeting delivery deadlines. This can cause irreparable damage to the business’s reputation. Constantly training new drivers is also costly at an expense of $7,000 to $27,000 per employee according to one piece of research, the exact amount depending on how much training the driver needs and orientation-related costs.

So, with every driver that has to be replaced, the company’s profit margin decreases even more.

With balance comes happiness

Providing drivers adequate time at home can also increase their levels of happiness. They don’t feel like they are living just to do their job. Instead, their schedule allows them the ability to take an active role in their home life too.

This can relieve some of the stress on their spouses or partners as well because they’re able to handle a few of the home obligations, resulting in stronger and better relationships.

A happy employee is a productive employee. They have a more positive, can-do attitude. They are also more willing to put their time in at work because they’re getting enough time at home.

Improving drivers’ balance between home and work

There are a few things employers can do to promote better work-life balance for their drivers. These include:

  • Making it easier to stay in touch with loved ones. If your drivers are working long days, giving them the ability to keep in communication with home can help them stay connected. This could be as simple as making sure they take regular breaks to check in with a quick phone call, or it might involve equipping your fleet with Bluetooth technology so they can talk while they drive.
  • Being flexible with scheduling when you can. Some deliveries must be made within a certain time frame. But if there is any flexibility in delivery time, being flexible with your drivers’ schedules can allow them to participate more at home without impacting their work productivity or efficiency.
  • Approving time off for important events. Day-to-day work-life balance is one thing. But when work makes it impossible to attend important family events, it can cause even greater issues, potentially causing the driver to want to quit altogether. When possible, give your driver time off to be present at events that are typically attended as a family. This includes births, funerals, graduations and weddings. Kids’ school and extracurricular events are important too, so make attending them possible when you can.
  • Encouraging adequate sleep. It’s difficult to be happy at work or home when you are sleep-deprived. Plus, a 2012 study reports that truck drivers getting five or fewer hours of sleep in the 24 hours preceding their work schedule have an increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash. While businesses can’t tuck each employee in early every night, encouraging drivers to make sleep a priority can help reduce daytime fatigue. In fact, this study indicated that getting just one more hour of sleep every 24 hours can reduce tiredness and exhaustion by 12%.
  • Stressing a healthy diet and exercise. Sitting behind the wheel all day and eating a majority of meals from drive-thru fast-food places doesn’t do drivers any favors when it comes to their health. Eating healthy foods and engaging in regular exercise can help them feel better mentally and physically, which makes it easier to participate in activities both at home and work. Teach them stretches or simple exercises they can do on their stops to ease driving-related aches and pains. Work with healthy food chains to see if they will give your drivers a discount or create a handout with healthy meals they can bring from home.

Teaching your drivers how to have a good work-life balance can increase their happiness, improve their health and make it more likely that they will continue to work for your business long-term—making it more than worth the effort.

With Centerline, you can drive local routes with steady, reliable hours and competitive pay. Driving with Centerline means you still get to live your life.

Learn more about driving with us or search available jobs here.

What autonomous trucking means for the transportation industry: A 5-year projection

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

On July 21, 2021, TuSimple published the details of its Driver-Out pilot program – a program that involves “completely removing the requirement for a human to operate the vehicle.” In its post, the company explained that it anticipates entering the program’s final phase, System Validation, later this year and finally put autonomous trucks on the road.

The first routes are expected to be between Phoenix and Tucson, citing that this route was chosen because it contains typical scenarios experienced in freight operations based on roadway types and terminals.

Certainly, TuSimple isn’t the only company trying to automate the transportation industry. Several others are also working to solve the issues created by taking drivers out of trucks in the hopes of a driverless delivery system.

But what does all of this mean for the transportation industry over the next five years?

Greater exposure of transportation issues

By removing humans from trucks, the truck’s software and hardware must be equipped to deal with whatever scenarios are faced while transporting goods from one location to another. This includes typical decision-making points faced by drivers that involve weather, closed roadways, unexpected detours and more.

While autonomous trucking manufacturers may be working to figure all of these out technologically, preparing for every possible scenario is nearly impossible. As companies start putting these driverless trucks on the road, they will begin to see the many transportation issues drivers face when picking up and delivering their loads. This will shine a light on some issues that, until now, were not readily known or exposed.

More driver concern, potentially impacting retention and recruitment

When a company talks of automating some of its processes, employees become concerned about job stability and whether they’ll soon find themselves out of work. To them, automation is synonymous with job death.

Autonomous trucking supporters say that this isn’t the reality. They state that even if trucks can drive themselves from one location to another, humans are still required to complete the process. Autonomous trucks may only go to certain lots, for instance, so a driver will have to go to that lot, pick up the trailer and take it to its final destination.

Plus, these autonomous trucks are being designed for longer hauls. Short-haul drivers will still be needed to move goods around locally. For companies that employ drivers for these shorter routes, the impact should be minimal.

Yet, not all drivers buy into the idea that they will still have a purpose in the transportation industry as autonomous trucks are progressed. This can cause them to seek opportunities in other sectors before they suddenly find themselves jobless. It might also reduce the number of people interested in driving because they don’t want to get into a career track that looks like it may be coming to an end.

A skeptical (and fearful) public

If Tesla’s autopilot program is any indication of what is ahead for the transportation industry, the next five years will also be met with a lot of skepticism and fear from the general public. While some people support working toward a driverless system, others can’t envision a world in which a computer can make the same decisions as humans.

And if they can, they don’t see those decisions being as swift or as good.

Fear of autonomous trucks has the propensity of being even greater than that experienced with cars simply because of the vehicle’s size. The idea of having a huge rig behind you with no one at the wheel is a scary proposition for some.

This gives the companies creating these trucks an uphill battle in the years ahead because, in addition to testing their systems, they also have to convince the public that this is a safe way to transport goods.

Like with any technology being created, it often takes some time to figure out what the world looks like with the technology in it. It also takes some time to figure out how humans and the new technology can co-exist in a mutually beneficial way. Autonomous trucking will likely be no different.

Interested in more industry trends and trucking research? Download our State of Trucking Guide 2021 to get a pulse on where trucking stands. 

Diversity in trucking: Are you in line with recent industry trends?

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Diversity and inclusion have both been top-of-mind topics in recent years. In many cases, they have been discussed in the context of what is needed for legal and social reform, creating a more just and equitable existence for everyone regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation and more.

Yet, these concepts are also often front and center when it comes to employment.

Knowing what these trends look like both outside and within the trucking industry can help you better identify where your company lies with regard to this important topic; whether you’re in line with what other trucking companies are doing to increase their diversity or if your transportation department needs a bit of an overhaul.

This information can also be used to help you create a plan to better promote diversity within your company, attracting a more varied workforce and enjoying the benefits that come with this approach.

Diversity trends outside & inside the trucking industry

In May 2020, McKinsey & Company released its Diversity Wins report. In the report, this management consulting firm states that “the business case for gender and ethnic diversity in top teams is stronger than ever.”

Specifically, it cites how more diverse companies outperform their peers in terms of profitability, with COVID-19 likely deepening these trends by allowing companies to bounce back from the virus more quickly.

It also states that being more diverse further strengthens a company’s health, performance and reputation in the marketplace. Some of the data it reports includes:

  • Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than those in the bottom quartile
  • Companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity have 36% greater profitability than companies in the lowest quartile
  • Companies with executive teams that are at least 30% women outperform companies with fewer than this amount, creating a 48% difference in performance between the two
  • Companies with low ethnic and cultural diversity are also outperformed by their more diverse counterparts

Convoy’s 2020 Sustainability Snapshot Report took an even closer look at diversity within the trucking industry specifically. Out of the carriers it surveyed, 64% said that their majority owner or owners are members of a diverse group.

It further adds that minority truck drivers have increased from 26.6% in 2013 to 40.4% in 2018, representing a growth of 13.8%, with the number of female drivers growing 2% over the last 20 years.

This data suggests not only how important diversity is when it comes to company profitability and performance, but also that more companies are recognizing its value. This makes promoting diversity within your transportation department critical for building and growth.

How to promote diversity in your transportation department

One way to promote a greater level of diversity within your transportation business or department is to create an environment of inclusion and acceptance.

Create workplace rules naming the behaviors that will not be tolerated, such as bullying, harassing, or discriminating. Include this information in your employee handbook so each new hire is aware of these policies from day one.

Also hold regular training sessions centered around different ethnicities and cultures. This gives your employees a better understanding of and appreciation for individuals from backgrounds unlike their own. It also reduces potential incidents that may arise out of any misunderstandings.

You can also promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace by ensuring that each member of your team is treated the same. This includes equal pay, benefits, and treatment regardless of the person’s demographics.

Methods for attracting a diverse workforce

What can you do to make your transportation workforce more diverse, helping you get and stay in the top quartile of the trucking industry, thus potentially improving your profitability and performance? TalentLyft recommends:

  • Leveraging job boards or job search sites that specialize in a more diverse group of applicants
  • Offering internships, scholarships, and referral rewards for employees in underrepresented groups
  • Mentioning your strive for greater diversity and inclusiveness in your job postings, as well as on your company website
  • Incorporating diversity into your hiring process, such as by having a diverse interview panel

It can also be helpful to talk to current employees who fall into often underrepresented demographics and ask their opinion.

They may have a few ideas for attracting a more diverse workforce based on their experiences, making them an even more invaluable member of your team.

Want more hiring tips for the transportation industry? Check out our recruitment content library here.

Preventing distracted driving as a truck driver

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Distracted driving claims roughly 3,142 lives per year. Break it down and this is almost nine people per day who lose their lives because a driver took their eyes (or mind) off the road, if even for a moment.

Another 400,000 people are injured annually after being involved in an accident where a driver was distracted. Some of those injured weren’t even on the roadway but were, instead, just walking or riding their bikes.

As a driver, there are quite a few things you can do to help lower these numbers and reduce your distractions while on the road for work. Here are a few distracted driving tips for truck drivers to consider.

Turn your phone on ‘do not disturb’

If you have a hard time not looking at your cellphone every time it rings or alerts you that you have a text message, avoid this temptation by turning on its ‘do not disturb’ functionality. This way, you can still see who attempted to contact you once you stop and are safely in park, but you won’t feel the need to take your eyes off the road the moment your phone goes off.

Download a distracted driving app

Some phones don’t have a ‘do not disturb’ option. If this describes yours, you can always download an app designed to increase your safety while traveling down the road. For example, the DriveSafe.ly app will read all of your incoming text messages out loud when they arrive and send an automatic response without you having to handle your phone at all.    

Use Bluetooth if you can

The great thing about Bluetooth technology is that it enables you to have a phone conversation without taking your hands off the wheel. Other than clicking a button on your steering wheel or dashboard to answer and end the call, your eyes don’t have to look away from the road either. If your truck is equipped with Bluetooth, sync your phone before you even take off so it is ready to go.

Pull over to handle a call or text

Sometimes you can’t fall out of touch with the rest of the world just because you’re driving, or your truck isn’t equipped with Bluetooth technology. Yet, maybe you’re waiting for an important call or need to be available to other drivers or someone at the office. In cases such as this, leave your phone on but pull your truck over if you need to answer a call or text. This enables you to respond without putting your life or anyone else’s life at risk.

Install a phone holder on your dash

Even the best-intentioned driver may look at their cellphone when it rings or dings just to see who is calling or texting. It might only take a couple of seconds to pick up your phone and look, but this is more than enough time to leave the roadway, not see a pedestrian on the side or fail to notice the car that is about to run the stoplight in front of you. Installing a phone holder on the dash of your truck enables you to see who is trying to reach you quickly. If it’s someone you need to deal with right that moment, you can then decide the safest way to handle that communication without anyone getting hurt.

Stop when it’s time to eat

It isn’t just phone calls and texts that can distract drivers. Even everyday activities such as eating a meal or snack can be enough to remove your attention from the road. When it’s lunchtime, take a few minutes to eat inside or stop in the parking lot instead of trying to juggle your food and drink while going to your next destination. It won’t add a lot of time to your day and if it prevents just one injury or death, it is time that is well spent.

Want more driver safety tips and tricks? Check out our safety content library. 

How to combat back, shoulder and knee pain as a truck driver

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

While it may seem that your biggest risk of being injured as a truck driver is getting into an accident, it’s not uncommon to experience some level of pain in your back, shoulders and knees without ever being in a collision. What causes each type of pain and, more importantly, how can you help ease it?

Back pain

One study found that 59% of truck drivers have pain in the lower back. The one factor that appeared to contribute most to pain in this area of the body was spending longer days behind the steering wheel.

If you notice that your back hurts after driving truck all day, start by taking a look at your posture. Ideally, your back should be straight while driving versus slouching forward. Work to keep your shoulders against the back of the seat and your elbows closer to your sides as opposed to holding them out.

It may also be helpful to adjust your seat to a healthier position. This involves reclining the back of the seat slightly and moving the base far enough forward so you don’t have to stretch to reach the pedals.

If your truck’s seat has lumbar support, adjust it so that it provides some tension on your lower spine. There are also lumbar support pillows you can purchase if your seat doesn’t offer this option.

You can also help ease back pain as a truck driver by doing a few stretches throughout the day, such as when you stop for lunch or while loading or unloading.

One to try is to grab one knee and pull it up to your chest, then do the same on the other side. You should feel a stretch in your lower back.

Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can occur while driving truck mainly due to the repetitive movements related to the job. This can include actions you take while climbing into or out of your cab, tarping and more.

Shoulder pain can also be caused by the amount of tension you must keep on the steering wheel to keep the truck from drifting, especially during inclement weather. This continued force and tension can make your shoulder really ache by the end of the day.

To help keep shoulder pain at bay, take the time to regularly relax your shoulder muscles. Do shoulder rolls or shoulder shrugs a few times every hour to get your shoulders to release.

When stopped at a traffic light, use this time to gently pull one arm across the front of your body. Do the other arm at the next light. This helps to give your shoulder muscles a much-needed break.

Knee pain

The joints in your knees are also at risk of hurting as a truck driver and the cause is often either sitting for long periods of time or the impact from jumping out of your cab, which is sometimes referred to as jumper’s knee.

If your knee pain is caused by sitting for long periods, adjusting your seat differently may help. Some health experts recommend that the knees be bent at 90 degrees while driving; others suggest more of a 20-degree bend. Play around with different positions to see which one feels best for you.

If the pain is a result of jumping out of the cab, try to lessen the impact by landing with softened knees. In other words, don’t lock your knees when you land. Instead, keep them slightly bent to help absorb the impact.

Walking around for a few minutes each time you stop may also help ease your driving-related knee pain. If your pain is more bothersome, you may even consider wearing a knee brace to better support this lower body joint.

Driving truck doesn’t have to equal pain. Paying attention to your posture, adjusting your seat and doing stretches throughout the day are all good ways to help prevent and ease these truck-driving discomforts.

Want more lifestyle tips? Check out our content library for drivers here. 

Meditation for truck drivers: A simple way to reduce stress

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

It appears every time we turn around, the world has increased its pace by five-fold, placing more and more demands on our time.

As a truck driver, you have the added stress of bad weather, traffic jams and tight deadlines.

All of this can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and depressed. If this is the case, it may be an excellent opportunity for you to start a meditation practice.

While you may think of meditation as a formal practice done in yoga or by monks, it can actually be done anywhere, at any time.

There is a wide array of medication practices from which to choose, each of which helps you achieve your goals in different ways.

The benefits of meditation

Meditation can help calm your mind and create balance in your mind and body. And the benefits of meditation can extend beyond the time you spend meditating.

Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, controls anxiety, enhances self-awareness, improves attention spans and aids in getting better sleep.

Driving meditation could mean keeping your cool in a high stress situation and being able to focus your attention on the road for longer.

In fact, if you are considering starting some type of meditation practice, you are in good company. According to a 2017 survey put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35 million Americans, or approximately 14 percent of the general population, use some type of meditation technique.

Types of meditation

There are a variety of meditation types to choose from and it may take some experimenting to see what works best for you and your lifestyle.

The main principle of meditation is to ground your body through your breath and focus your attention on an object, mantra or even your breathing.

Other forms of meditation include:

-Guided Meditation:  Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing. You can guide yourself through a visualization using as many sensory details as possible or you can use a guided meditation app or teacher to focus your practice.

-Mindful Meditation: This type of meditation is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment. This can be done outside meditation but during it, you focus on what you are experiencing and let thoughts pass without judgement.

-Mantra Meditation: In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to calm the mind.

A good way to start as a beginner is by taking steady, even breaths when you find yourself stressed out or anxious. Some drivers also find benefits in taking breaks in nature or meditating first thing in the morning or right when they get home. Try a variety of methods and see what works for you. Even just taking 5 minutes a day to deep breath