Stress relief for van drivers
Congestion. Deadlines. Idiot drivers. It's hardly surprising that for those of us who spend several hours a day on the road, stress can be a recurring hazard.
Of course, ask an insurer and they'll tell you that making sure you've got the right van insurance is a good way to reduce your worries – but beyond basking in the calm of knowing you have the right cover, what other ways are there of keeping stress at bay?
We've scratched our heads and come up with what we think are the top ten ways to keep stress free behind the wheel.
Top ten tips for reducing stress in your van
Careful planning. Preparation prevents.... well, you know the rest. Quite rightly, the Institute of Advanced Motorists advises us all to avoid tight driving schedules by planning carefully before setting out. Try the RAC's Route Planner, or the similar service from the AA.
Easy as GPS. Another way to make sure you know where you are going while on the fly - and ensure your best-laid plans don't come falling down - is to use a Sat Nav device. There doesn't appear to have been a survey to find the most relaxing Sat Nav voice, but we’re pretty confident that popular celebrity choices like Mr T and John Cleese wouldn’t be particularly calming!
Avoid driving in bad weather. Yes, sometimes business doesn't allow the luxury of choosing when you travel. But when possible, avoid bad weather – it demands higher levels of concentration and means fatigue can strike more quickly. Keep an eye on the forecast and time your journey accordingly if you can.
The right position. Dodgy back? Painful neck? Get the details spot on from the start of your journey. How is your driving position? You want to be relaxed, but not so laid back you're horizontal. And if you're spending several hours behind the wheel, make sure you set out in comfortable clothes.
Keep it clean. Cramped spaces are always the most difficult to keep clean and tidy – especially when you spend a lot of time in them. But it's amazing what a five-minute whizz round the interior will do – keeping a carrier bag to hand, and a pack of baby wipes in the glove box makes it easier to clear up and freshen up on the road.
Take a break from the mobile. As safety group RoSPA points out, as well as it being illegal to take a call on a hand-held phone while driving, having your phone go off in the first place is an unnecessary and often unwelcome distraction. Allow calls to go straight to voicemail to avoid feeling the heat from employers or clients. When it's safe, stop and check your messages.
Stay alert. You want to be stress-free, but also alert to hazards - especially when driving at night. Tried and tested ways to stave off fatigue include opening a window to let the air in - but most importantly, make sure you take regular breaks from driving.
Avoid bother. Don't get involved with any highway fun-and-games, however tempting. With the rear-end shunt being one the most common forms of accident, it pays to move out of the way of tailgaters - provided it's safe to make your move.
The right tunes. You know what you like, but a driving beat can ramp up the stress levels. Swap the hard house for a spot of easy listening and see what effect it has on your internal rev counter – spend a moment with our relaxing driving music playlist on Spotify for some inspiration.
Finally, if you're the boss... don't forget that employers have a part to play in reducing stress. RoSPA notes that employers should minimise the risks to their staff while out on the road and offers some tips to them - including reducing the distances people drive and permitting overnight stays where possible.
MORE THAN BUSINESS is committed to making your life as a van driver safer and more enjoyable - see our top money-saving tips for van drivers, and our mobile phone risk management guide for help complying with the law.
And if you're looking for any other kind of commercial vehicle insurance, we'll be more than happy to give you a quote.
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