Driving as a job can become pretty monotonous after a while, even if you travel through the entire country it can still get pretty rough and boring when you spend so much time alone on the road. To keep your spirits up you need to find entertainment, both for your downtimes and while driving, without them being too distracting.
We are going to go through some ideas to point you in the right direction, if you are out of ideas, on how to stay entertained while on the road.
Working out
This might not seem like something everyone would enjoy doing, but it will help with the nature of your job, helping you stay fit and not get pains from long drives spent in one position. Exercising will help you get your endorphin levels up, so this activity should help you feel better, both physically and mentally. You don’t have to do hardcore workouts, you can just do some light exercises, or if you are used to working out more intensely, try to stay on that level to keep yourself satisfied. You can choose to do some light stretches on one of your breaks, or schedule a time to do some hiking or finding a spot to do specific exercises you are used to, it will be beneficial for you, whatever you choose to do.
Podcasts
We talked about podcasts here and showed you just a glimpse of this huge variety of topics that you can find. Listening to podcasts can be a great way to stay entertained while driving. You can find topics related to trucking, or any other category that you find interesting like comedy, history, sports or science, think of a topic and there is sure to be at least one podcast covering it, you just need to search and find what you enjoy.
Start on the road collection
Being a truck driver lets you travel the whole country and visit many places on your way to finish jobs. You need to take breaks, find places to grab a bite to eat or have a good night’s sleep in a proper bed, so why not find souvenirs from these places, and start collecting them. It could be interesting to look back and get reminded of all the places you visited or passed through.
Be musical on the road
Being alone in your truck is the perfect opportunity to explore your talents, or to just let some extra energy out. Listening to music is probably a big part of your day in the truck so just let yourself feel the music and sing along, loud, as no one can hear you. You can sing as badly as you want or perfectly, it doesn’t matter, as long as you are having fun doing it. One other thing you could do is bring an instrument with you. If you know how to play the guitar or a saxophone, why not take it with you on the road. You could practice your skills and also enjoy yourself by playing your favorite songs, maybe even entertain others you meet on the road.
Digital entertainment
Laptops, tablets, phones or other devices plus internet access get you a ton of off-road entertainment. You can use many streaming websites like Netflix or Amazon to watch your favorite tv shows or movies, listen to audiobooks, play games, or write a blog or even a book. These are the ultimate entertainment methods, you cannot go wrong with these, especially when you are feeling tired from driving all day, or just lazy and want to feel comfortable and good while watching something that relaxes you. It will help keep you entertained but also shut your brain off for a while and let it rest from concentrating on the road and on work.
Become a tourist
Working a lot usually doesn’t give us so much time to travel. Your job gives you an opportunity to travel to different places, but maybe you never took the time to go and do “touristy” stuff. Go sightseeing or pick a route that will take you through some historical or impressive nature areas. If you can plan your routes and manage to squeeze in some sightseeing it might make your days much easier and a lot more fun. Try it and find out if it works for you.
Being on the road for long periods of time, being alone and just not having so much to do except drive from point A to point B can be pretty draining and can make you not enjoy your job as much. It is important to keep your spirits up, to try to make your work be fun too, to make your down times relaxing and entertaining. Find what works best for you and make it happen. It will be beneficial for you and will make your work a lot easier. Being entertained is important for your mental health so keep being safe and find some fun in your job.