When your business requires you to drive interstate daily or go on long trips now and then, that lifestyle’s going to take a toll on you. You may not realize it but sooner rather than later something’s got to give. While we fixate on our business goals, we may forget that there are far more important things in life than just working.
A good example here is Amazon. Before, the Jeff Bezos-led company was just a blip on the screen: a small startup company that’s trying to make its way to the top. Today, thanks to the pandemic, Amazon is the biggest online retailer in the country. In 2019 alone, it delivered about 3.5 billion packages. That number has multiplied by leaps and bounds when the virus hit town. Unfortunately, as its drivers were caught with mounting deliverables, van accidents became prevalent. The sad part is such mishaps could cost lives.
It’s bound to happen. If you’re driving on a long trip, fatigue could make you vulnerable to errant decisions. Worse, repeated every day, these long trips will make it even harder for you to relax.
The good news is you need not get stuck in such a vicious cycle. All of us may be wired differently. But there are tried-and-tested ways to get out of this rut. Here’s a lowdown on how to relax best at home after a long, hard trip.
Exercise to Overcome Fatigue
As much as possible, you can’t really take your chances on the road. Fatigue can be deadly when driving. And the numbers don’t lie. In 2019 alone, about 3 ,244 fatal motor accidents happened in America, a number that has constantly gone up every year. Many of these accidents involved drivers that have been consumed by over fatigue. Not only does fatigue dull your senses, but also it weakens your cognitive functioning.
Exercise can play a huge role in preventing the negative effects of over fatigue. It’s important, therefore, that you resist becoming a couch potato when you’re already back home. Instead, aim to get back in shape and be physically active. When you do that, your body will be able to enjoy a calmer state which should give you a stabler sleep-wake cycle. In short, you get better rest when you exercise.
Relaxation Over Stress
While physical strain can certainly burden you, there’s another aspect to a long drive that can get you listless. Indeed, long routes can drain your mind as much as your body. The problem is mental well-being is a far trickier goal to attain. That’s because as you go through the motions, your emotional state can be rocky. You can grow inexplicably anxious and unwilling to reach out. And that’s just how stress works.
Lucky for you, there’s a host of relaxation techniques you can pounce on for people who are stressed at work. What’s more, these methods are more available today than ever before. A good example here is yoga.
Yoga’s ability to calm the nerves and center yourself on the here and now has long been proven. Even top celebrities such as Sting Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah Winfrey have become certified yoga buffs over the years.
Of course, a good way to enjoy yoga best is to create your personal yoga space at home, a yoga studio so to speak. You can even incorporate nature into your routine. For instance, many yoga practitioners put themselves in a room with big open windows to connect with the fresh air and nature outside. If that is your intention, you may have to install new windows if they’re too small for comfort or are decadent. Indeed, making sure your personal yoga space fits your liking is wise.
Additionally, you can try mindfulness meditation. All those deep breaths have successfully carried many tired souls away from the negative effects of stress. Some have relied on supplements. Omega-3 capsules, for one, are a godsend for many.
Then again, if you simply can’t shake the stress off, then try connecting with your roots. Spending time with your loved ones or friends can go a long way in helping relieve the burden.
Take Time to Relax
If your income is pretty much dependent on you staying on the road, there’s a temptation for you to go from one drop to the next without pause. It may sound logical. You may find it the best way to earn those precious dollars. But the word of the wise says you should not.
Take time to take a break. As much as possible, schedule those ahead of time and make them non-negotiable. You’d be better off that way.
It may take some strategic thinking but it certainly is worth it. Instead of taking care of the back office, let someone do that for you. A partner could deal with all the scheduling and bidding. In the meantime, you’re relaxing and keeping yourself composed so your next trip is as seamless as can be.