Owner Operator Insurance South Carolina: 5 Habits That Improve Emotional Well-Being

The solo over-the-road owner operator truck driver doesn’t benefit from the company of daily coworkers. This lack of social support can lead to depression, especially during periods of stressful driving. In addition to staying in touch with your family and friends, there are things you can do everyday to improve your feelings of well-being. Here are five of them:

Stop the Negative Self Talk

Everyone has occasional doubts about themselves, especially after a personal setback. But when this negative self talk becomes a habit, the thoughts can become self-fulfilling. They will cause you to notice only your mistakes and make you blind to your strengths. Stopping this habit starts with monitoring your “mental chatter,” catching the negative thoughts when they happen, and immediately telling yourself they aren’t true. Follow up by focusing on the personal strengths you know to be true about yourself.

Do Good Deeds for Others

This may seem like a cliché, but helping others does enhance feelings of well-being. Helping a motorist out by allowing them to pull in front of you at a lane merge is one example. Driving provides many opportunities for this. The idea is to practice kindness and make a habit of it.

Do Deep Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing exercises are a proven method of stress reduction. Inhale slowly for four seconds, hold it for another four seconds, and then exhale for four more seconds. Repeat this ten times. It produces an immediate relaxation effect.

Get Eight Hours of Sleep

Getting 7 or 8 hours of quality sleep every night is essential for emotional well-being. Even partial sleep deprivation can negatively affect your mood. Try to go to bed at the same time every evening and ensure that your sleeping environment promotes sound sleep. Block out external light and sound, and get a comfortable mattress. At the end of the day, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and any intense mental or emotional stimulation as well as physical exertion.

Exercise

It’s well known that a regular routine of aerobic exercise promotes calmness and well-being. It releases mood-enhancing hormones including a brain chemical called serotonin, which fights off negative feelings.

Protect your livelihood from life’s uncertainties by getting good South Carolina owner operator insurance coverage. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

David Ott

David Ott