The Lonely Ride: Tips for Dealing with Separation Anxiety for Truckers

Phil Cohen

Contrary to nearly every job in the world, going to work for truckers does not mean a day filled with elevator talk, jokes at the office, and connecting with clients. For truck drivers, it means hours upon hours of nothing but the hum of their engine and perhaps a radio tune.

After a day’s work, most folks return to the comforts of home and unwind with loved ones. This is often not the case for truckers. As expected, this can be extremely polarizing and boring. Particularly due to recent laws prohibiting the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle, truckers can hardly even catch up with their family or friends during the day.

Although separation anxiety often denotes the thought of a child missing their mother or father, it can be very prevalent in adults as well. Separation anxiety is the fear or apprehension a person feels when they are removed from their loved ones, or anything important to them. It is, not only a natural expression but a healthy one, too.

Recently published research from Haverford College claimed that people who experience separation anxiety are more committed to their relationships and willing to work harder to ensure their success. Additionally, they found that those people are drastically less likely to engage in actions that would put their relationships in jeopardies, such as cheating and gambling.

A Few Tips for Truckers to Manage Separation Anxiety

  1. Tell your loved ones what to expect:

    Chances are your loved ones miss you just as much as you miss them when you’re gone. So make sure they know what to expect. Tell them how long you’ll be gone, how often you’ll be able to call and check in on them, and where you’ll be going so they don’t worry too much.

  2. Say goodbye:

    Let the people you care about know that you’re leaving. As much as you’d like to push the idea out of your mind, the reality is that any trip could be your last. So make sure your goodbye counts!

  3. Keep a picture with you:

    There’s hardly any more refreshing feeling than when you’re missing home and can look at a picture of the people and places you miss. Pictures generate a remarkable sense of connection, regardless of distance. Perhaps you could even put it on your dashboard as a constant reminder of what you will return to.

  4. Keep a countdown of your return:

    Nothing quite cures the feeling of something missing like knowing when it will be restored. Keeping a countdown of when you’ll return can, not only make the days go by much faster, but also give you something to look forward to and work towards.

  5. Stay connected

    Set aside time each day to connect with your family back home. Whether it’s a phone call or Skype video chat, setting a daily time to talk will help you and your family feel more connected to each other.

  6. Get a furry co-pilot:

    It’s not uncommon for truckers to have a dog in the truck. A furry friend can provide the companionship you crave during those long days away from home. Learn more about the dog breeds that do well on the road.

Truckers have enough stress to worry about, so don’t add financial problems to the mix. Factoring helps owner-operators effectively manage their cash flow and ensures you’ll be paid within 24 hours for loads you’ve delivered. Not to mention, truck factoring companies provide extra perks to truckers such as free credit checks, fuel discounts and 24/7 online account management. We can’t deliver your cozy bed to you on the road, but we can help alleviate some of your worries. Contact us to learn about our factoring services!

Photo of author

Phil Cohen

Phil is the owner of PRN Funding and sister company Factor Finders. He has been an authority in the factoring industry for over 20 years, serving on the board of directors for several factoring associations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Phil Cohen

Get Started Now

Secure the funds you need today.