Stress Awareness Month: How to reduce stress while driving
Stress in work is often unavoidable, when that stress reaches a point where it becomes unmanageable it becomes an issue that may affect your performance as well as your health.
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes of stress and how best to manage it. It offers the opportunity for an open dialogue on the impact of stress, dedicating time to removing the guilt, shame and stigma around mental health.
According to a survey by Statista, the most common cause of stress is work-related stress, with 79% saying they frequently felt stressed. Furthermore, in 2019, inpatient hospital admissions caused by stress-related illnesses in the UK cost around £8.13bn.
Employers should take the time to talk about stress and its effects with their employees, and to prioritise mental health and wellbeing within the workplace. Fleet managers are being urged to support their staff so that these issues can be managed and prevented. Through open discussion, we can all help to destigmatise the topic of mental health and learn healthy ways to deal with stress in our everyday lives.
It is estimated that 30% of illnesses in the transport and logistics industry are mental health related, and lorry drivers are especially prone to having mental health issues due to the nature of their work. Being far away from home for extended periods of time, long or unsociable hours, operating in a stressful environment and working in isolation can make lorry drivers vulnerable to high levels of stress and poor mental health.
Due to this, those who drive for their job should find ways to manage their levels of stress effectively.
How does stress affect someone’s performance at work?
Mental health problems could impact a business in several ways.
These include:
• Poor driving
• Poor Customer service
• Day off either from sickness or absenteeism
The resulting effects are:
• Degraded public perception
• Higher Fuel Costs
• Damage to Vehicles
• Higher Training Costs
• Higher Staff Turnover
• How to spot the warning signs in your staff
Warning signs of an emerging issue can become apparent in many ways, such as:
• Poor timekeeping skills
• Frequent Sickness
• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Irritability
• Unelicited aggression
• Aberrations in driving performance picked up by telematics devices
The following are a list of ways drivers can manage stress while driving.
1. Plan your journey ahead
One of the most effective ways you can reduce stress while driving is to plan ahead. Before setting out, plan your route, check traffic updates and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. By doing so, you can avoid getting stuck in traffic or running late, which can increase stress levels.
2. Take breaks as needed
If you are driving for long periods of time, it is important that you take breaks to stretch your legs, use the bathroom or to grab a snack. Taking regular breaks can help you to stay alert and reduce your stress levels.
3. Practice defensive driving
Defensive driving is a technique that involves anticipating potential hazards and reacting in a proactive manner. By practicing defensive driving, you can reduce stress and increase your confidence on the road. Some defensive driving tips include maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, obeying traffic laws and staying aware of your surroundings.
4. Seek professional help
If you find that you are experience a high level of stress while driving, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor can help you to develop effective coping strategies to reduce your stress levels.
Stress can be a major issue for drivers, but there are thankfully many effective strategies for managing it. Managing stress while driving is not only important for your safety, but for the safety of other road users.
5. Get enough sleep
Allowing your body to fully recharge can make all the difference to your outlook. Not getting enough sleep can turn minor annoyances into bigger issues. We also tend to be less focused when we’re tired, which is not ideal for driving safely. You should make sure to get enough high-quality sleep to ensure that you are well rested and alert.
6. Share your feelings
Letting things build up is not a healthy way of coping with our emotions. Talking about what’s on your mind can help you to process those feelings and move on. With HGV drivers in particular spending the majority of their time alone, it is even more important to communicate how you are feeling with others. Do not be afraid to reach out to your employer, friends and family if you are feeling stressed.
Useful Links
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