Long-haul truckers drive for long periods, sometimes in the company of a fellow driver alongside them. The lone wolves only socialize when ordering something or delivering a load. Others drive with partners because sometimes it takes two to tango. Whether you’re used to driving with a partner or whether it’s something new to you, there can be ups and downs to sharing the cabin with someone else.

 

Driving with a Partner Can Improve Mental Health

 

Building and maintaining social interactions and relationships can improve quality and length of life, health, and overall well-being. Being on the road can mean having fewer social interactions because most of your time is spent behind the wheel. Working with a partner can help keep a level of social exposure that every human needs to function correctly. Social interactions and feelings of support can benefit the immune, cardiovascular, and other parts of the body.

Although ultimately rewarding, working with a partner does mean spending tremendous amounts of time with someone else, which can be overwhelming. Learning how to deal with a partner on the road can help build beneficial relationships and social skills. Sharing ideas and facts about each other’s lives lets you get to know your partner.

 

 

One of the most significant benefits of driving with a partner is having a better sleep schedule, which significantly aids mental health. When driving solo, an erratic sleep schedule is the norm. With a partner, when a case of heavy eyelids arises, they can drive while you catch a couple Z’s.

 

Learn Something New When Driving with a Partner

 

Driving with a partner means networking with another trucker on the road. You can share good truck stop locations, truck parking areas, and more to benefit your overall trucking experience. A copilot can also share different tastes to broaden your music choices and give you something new to listen to when hitting the road. There’s nothing better than hearing a fantastic song for the first time or a genre you wouldn’t usually consider. Working with someone on the road also means increased safety while parked and at night.

 

Benefits of Driving with a Pet as a Partner

 

Driving with a partner can bring health benefits because life on the road can get lonely sometimes, especially for the extroverts behind the wheel. Having someone to share the load with can make driving more enjoyable. Some drivers prefer the independence of traversing the country alone. That’s when a man’s best friend can become your driving partner. Some drivers and owner-operators can have pets on the road, and a dog, although a great responsibility, can be a fantastic partner.

Some dog breeds might be a better choice for security, like German Shepherds; no one is going near a truck when they start barking. These dogs and others like them have high energy levels and must be exercised frequently. If you’re able to do this, it will be beneficial not only to them but to yourself as well. Some drivers don’t have the luxury of stopping as frequently and should opt for a smaller dog or dogs that prefer laziness over exercise, like a bulldog or a Bassett hound.

 

 

Older dogs are great companions because they tend to have lower energy levels than younger dogs. An adventure on the road could be an excellent gift for an older shelter dog, so consider adopting a dog with some years behind it.

 

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Other Recommended Readings from Our Blog:

The 5 Best Songs About Truckers and Trucking

Mental Health Awareness for Truckers

How Do Music Choices Affect Driving?

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