Long haul truck drivers are often away from their loved ones for days or even weeks at a time, making relationships of any kind a challenge at best. Life on the road isn’t only lonely for drivers but is difficult for those who are left behind to carry on at home as well. These relationships can be healthy but like your truck, they require regular maintenance.
Spend Time Alone Together
When you’ve missed your family, there’s nothing that you want more than to spend time with all of them. Even if you’re only home for a short time before you’re back out on the road, make time for one-on-one time with your significant other. They are, after all, your partner in all this. Your children need some one-on-one time too. Talk about your plans together while you’re out on the road. It gives everyone something to look forward to.
Stay Connected
Communicating with family while on the road has never been easier. Call, text, and video chat whenever possible. Use video chat to have dinner with your family. It may not be the same but it’s the next best thing! If you like video games, you can play apps or video games online with family during your downtime.
Bring Your Spouse Along
It’s difficult for someone who’s never been a driver to truly understand what it’s like to be out on the road for extended periods; hectic schedules, irregular meals, few stops, the stress. Taking your significant other along for a run will give him or her a better understanding of what it’s like to be out on the road instead of filling in those blanks for themself. Conversely, when you’re home, be mindful of all the work that goes into running the household and all that needs to go on without your help while you’re not there.
Manage Your Stress
Being a truck driver is a stressful job. Take steps to manage stress on the road like eating a healthy diet, getting exercise when you can, use meditation, listen to calming music―anything that helps to calm you. The last thing you want is to go home with pent up stress from work. If you don’t bring your stress home with you, you’ll all have a much more enjoyable time while you’re there.
There Must Be Trust
Trust can be difficult when you’re away from home and infidelity is often a worry from both sides. Doing a ride-along may be helpful so your partner can see that life behind the wheel is exhausting and not a big party. Making time for each other when you’re home and talking frequently when you’re working will help to build a strong relationship with trust.
With work, long-distance, on-the-road relationships can be just as strong and healthy as those of couples who see each other every day.
One relationship you shouldn’t have to worry about on the road is with your load board! Direct Freight Services is a web-based load board that has many helpful features like full credit reports, load filtering, payment expectations, and broker authority information. Whether accessed online or now through our easy-to-use Direct Freight Driver app, Direct Freight helps you find the right loads. Go to DirectFreight.com and start searching for loads. We’re always here to bring you the high-quality loads you need!