3 Ways Truckers Can Stay Connected With Family During the Summertime
Family reunions. Barbecues. Camping trips. Beach getaways. The summer months bring a host of fun outdoor activities, along with the sunshine. But for truck drivers earning their living on the open road, summertime often means missing out on these events.
The fact is, many truck drivers spend weeks out of the summer months on the road – missing their children, partner or family. According to the Department of Transportation, being away from family and friends can take a toll on relationships and significantly impact a driver’s mental health and well-being. In fact, loneliness has been identified as the top mental health issue in truck drivers, with studies revealing how vital maintaining relationships is for a person’s health and longevity. Mental health issues in truck drivers can also increase a trucking operation’s liability exposure and insurance rates.
As an insurance professional with clients in the trucking industry, you know how important it is to help your policyholders find ways to proactively address loneliness and mental health issues. The following are recommendations and tips from Healthy Trucking of America (HTA) and the Truck Driving Institute to pass along to your transportation clients to help them keep their drivers better connected to and interacting with loved ones during the summer months.
Video Chat
Smartphones, tablets, laptops or other communication devices are a great way for drivers to see the faces of their loved ones and hear their voices. For special events such as birthdays, anniversaries or reunions, a video chat should be scheduled in advance to ensure that both parties know when to connect and there are no technology missteps.
Social Media
Staying connected via social media allows drivers to share everything about their day on the road with family and friends — from where they are now to where they are headed, and even what they had for dinner. Features like Facebook and Instagram Live now make it possible for family and friends to see and hear drivers who are on the road in real time. If individuals aren’t available, the live video feature of these programs saves the information so loved ones can view and respond later.
Send Letters & Postcards
Although emails and text messages have largely replaced old-fashioned handwritten letters, this type of digital communication has since made physical correspondence all that more special. According to the HTA, handwritten letters and postcards are typically held onto for years by loved ones – especially children – and are often reread by recipients when they feel lonely. Letters take more time to craft but could be written in the evening as part of a prebedtime routine. Postcards can be sent out more frequently since they present a visual and only require a short message or note.
Although not a tip for being on the road, it is important for drivers to recognize how critical it is to make the most of their time at home. According to the HTA, making memories and sharing experiences with family and friends are much more lasting than, say, gifts – providing all parties involved with good thoughts and happy memories that they can tap into while they are apart.
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