A paw-some solution to dealing with loneliness on the road

While on the road for weeks straight, there is minimal time for truckers to socialize with others. By virtue of not being around people on a daily basis, life as a trucker can get pretty lonely.

This leads many to experiment with ways to combat loneliness such as listening to the radio or podcasts. Another option, though, is taking a pet with you on the road.

By taking a pet along for the ride, truckers can mitigate a lot of the loneliness issues that come with the job.

Traveling with a pet has serious health benefits which include decreased blood pressure, decreased loneliness, and increased exercise opportunities, per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Considering the plethora of health issues that truckers tend to suffer, having a pet can make life a whole lot easier. 

Handling depression

According to Smart Trucking, depression among truck drivers is quite a prevalent issue, with employer issues, money problems, sleep deprivation, and too much alone time cited as the main reasons. 

In a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnical Information in 2012, 27 percent of truckers they spoke to said they suffered from depression. Additionally, 28 percent said they suffered from loneliness, 21 percent had chronic sleep disturbances, and 15 percent suffered from anxiety. 

Studies show that emotional support animals are beneficial for a variety of reasons, but they namely help with improving truckers’ quality of life and health through unconditional love and companionship. 

With depression being such a serious issue for many in the industry, trying different ways to combat it can prove to be fruitful. Of course, seeking professional help should always be a priority, but taking a pet with you on the road can be a positive step forward. 

Physical health

Having a pet such as a dog or even a cat means truckers have to take them outside to go potty, forcing drivers to step out of their vehicle periodically. 

Taking care of your pet will also mean taking care of yourself, as it can provide more opportunities to go on walks or even do a complete workout. 

According to Better Health, walking is one of the best and most accessible ways to improve or maintain your overall health. With just 30 minutes a day of consistent walking, you can increase your cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. 

One issue many drivers face is finding time to work out, which only adds to the long list of reasons they develop health issues such as heart disease. If owning a pet can force drivers to go on walks more consistently, it should be considered a net win. 

So what do you think about having pets on the road? Do you already have one? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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