People who enter a career as a truck driver are often attracted to the sense of independence, freedom of the open road, and increasingly good salaries and benefits. But like many occupations, the job has challenges that tax one’s patience and mental health.
A 2012 study published by the National Institute of Health concluded that nearly more than 25 percent of truckers struggle with loneliness and depression. To a lesser degree, sleeplessness, anxiety, and stress rank among truckers’ mental health issues. Rather than trying to manage psychological stress in unhealthy ways such as drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, mindful meditation practices can offer positive solutions. Truckers who are willing to try new ways to manage stress have the opportunity to incorporate the exercises into their daily routines and feel better.
What is Mindfulness?
It’s important to understand that mindfulness is not an unapproved alternative medicine or brain trick. Mindfulness involves our natural ability to focus on what is happening in the present moment. People who practice mindfulness often talk about being “more present.” That can be a powerful asset for truck drivers whose thoughts naturally wander and sometimes become tangled up in negative ideas. Mindfulness helps people of all walks of life focus on the immediate reality and not get bogged down in a funk.
Basic Mindful Meditation Techniques for Truckers
It’s important for women and men who feel the sting of stress and anxiety to understand that mindful meditation is not a quick fix. It involves an ongoing practice that can steadily help rein in some of the unwelcome hijinks our brains play on us. The following are simple techniques that can help get truck drivers started on the road or at your home base.
Count Your Breaths
This technique requires men and women to occupy a reasonably quiet and comfortable place. Close your eyes and gradually move your focus away from any potential distraction. Think about the air flowing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Count those breaths and block out distractions. This practice may initially seem like it doesn’t change anything. But over time, it helps build your ability to stay in the present moment.
Let Judgement Trickle Away
One of the things that often gets people stuck in their heads involves judgments. This does not necessarily mean we are harshly judging others or having wrongful thoughts. Judgment involves how we think and feel about a wide range of things. These could include unrealistic freight delivery times or road construction delays. The point is to accept those things as they are in the moment. Judgment thoughts typically fuel stress, mind wandering, and detract from being present.
Be Kind to Your Mind
The process of letting go of stressful and negative thoughts sometimes leads mindful meditation practitioners to judge themselves too harshly. It’s essential to keep in mind everyone has a meandering brain that wants to run wild. In other words, the need to gain control and become more present is absolutely normal. Daily mediation can help take the edge off and improve your quality of life.
Source: mindful.org
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