How do you handle stress?

I was just curious on how you guys handle the stress of driving an 80,000lb rig with a whole bunch of 4-wheelers zig zaging around you.
What do you find helps you, smoking? Spitz? Chewing tobacco? Gum?

 

I stopped stressing with the trainer.. Think of it this way.. if they cut you off it's your fault for not keeping a safe following distance.. if they rear end you.. it's your fault for not maintaining control of your rig.. if you wreck.. your dead..

nothing you do will change it.. just try to forget that your driving a truck and try to maintain a safe distance..

 

when a person first starts driving, the stress level i believe is through the roof....

as time goes on, you have to learn how to cope with the situations, meaning, you now it's going to happen, so just let it, for instance...

you know they are going to cut you off

you know they are going to cross 4 lanes of road to get to the exit

you know they are going to ride along side of you

you know they are going to weave in and out of traffic


you know, you WANT to get home....in ONE PIECE.......

so, you make allowances for the stupidity of others. you watch your mirrors, you reduce your speed, you leave a way out, you watch your blind spots, you pay attention and watch for brake lights, turn signals, etc,etc....

we have to drive always taking nothing for granted, for when we do, this will be our demise......we can never let our guard down.

as for stress....?? in time hopefully everyone can get a handle on it and just realize, it's going to happen, the dumb-arse 4 wheelers, just let it happen, and drive on......

 

Stress??? what's that? I don't do stress.

Seriously, I don't sweat stuff... never have... one of my friends refers to me as the most laid-back SOB he's ever known in his life... & yea, that's a quote.

 

If I am stressed out, I call a friend who knows what position I am in.

KH

 

I just tell myself that on my LAST day of doing this OTR thing..,I"m gonna run over 3-4 cars......JUST FOR FUN... Then,suddenly,I feel much better about things..

 

I chew Skoal primarily, now and then I will go through a pack of Marlboro Red 72's...

 

Try exercise. It's cheaper and much healthier for you.

 

I smoke.
I cuss.
I do not carry firearms....

 

That's it. You watch out for the other guy and don't throw a ##### fit when one gets in your way. You are the professional not them so you adjust your flow. Start looking for indicators such as the wife looking at a map or out of town plates and so on. The list is long and will keep you busy. In Traffic I suggest that you turn the radios way down and don't worry about running with the big boys. You drive as safe as you can and that will be your world. Keep your eyes moving and try to be aware of everything that is happening around you.

Once you get out there for awhile then you can listen to whatever radio you like but still you want your skills to be top. The more you know on what's happening with your truck the better off you're going to be. I like to keep the drivers window down about an inch so I can hear and smell things that might be going on. You've got to drive with all your senses, eyes, ears, nose, and feel. When you take one of those away then you're going downhill. Stay as sharp as you can, relax, and try to do better than the day before.