It’s not news to you, Trucking Nation, but trucking is one of the most stressful professions out there. Deadlines, traffic, weather, all these factors can combine to make you one big ball of stress. But never fear, we have the perfect solution for you: meditation. (No, don’t try it while you’re driving.)
Meditation Basics
Of course, meditation is nothing new. Its practice dates back thousands of years. There does seem to be some resurgence in its popularity in recent years, especially in relation to the new interest in yoga. But you don’t have to be a yogi or even practice yoga in order to enjoy the benefits of meditation. It doesn’t cost you any money, and you don’t need any training or special equipment in order to meditate. You can do it right in your rig!
Most meditation practices incorporate some method of focusing the mind, whether on a single point, or some sort of idea or belief. In Eastern traditions, such as Buddhism, where meditation is thought to have originated, meditation is said to not have a goal per se, although its practice usually results in relaxation, inner peace, and an overall sense of well-being. And who can’t benefit from that?
Mindfulness Meditation
Perhaps the most popular form of meditation right now is mindfulness meditation. This involves focusing on your thoughts as they arise. The idea is to not judge your thoughts, and to focus only on the present. As you watch your thoughts pass, and let them go, you will begin to relax and to feel more at peace.
Focused Meditation
Focused meditation may be the most well-known form of meditation. This type of meditation is where you focus your mind on one point, whether it be a word or mantra, a candle flame, a single thought, or an image in your mind’s eye. Here the point is to discard all other thoughts except the solitary object of your focus, maintaining your concentration on that point. As you do so, relaxation and tranquility should start to occur.
Spiritual Meditation
If there is a form of meditation that is goal-oriented, it is spiritual meditation. This form of meditation has communing with God or something spiritual as its objective. It can be thought of as a type of prayer, or of focusing on spiritual things. Many practitioners of this type of meditation will have a particular question or problem to be solved by this method, and will meditate on the thought of that question or problem. Many report a feeling of safety or protection when practicing this form of meditation.
Benefits of Meditation
We’ve already introduced some ways that meditation benefits you, including relaxation, peace of mind, and a sense of well-being. There’s no doubt that all truckers can benefit from these effects of meditation. And without all that stress from the road, the driver can be happier and more peaceful.
Added Benefits
Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that meditation can actually lower your blood pressure and slow your heart rate. Being in a state of relaxation is really another way of lowering your stress, and when stress is reduced, many other health benefits occur as well. Some of these include improved gastrointestinal health and a boosting to the immune system.
Improved Mental State: Meditation also can improve your mental state as well. Being relaxed and serene will reduce the rush of anxious thoughts, and the ability to think more clearly and deliberately will result.
So, the next time you’ve got some down time, give it a try and see if your stress doesn’t just float away!
ExpressTruckTax also helps you relax and reduce your stress level. We take care of those difficult calculations for you, so you don’t have to worry about or stress out over your HVUT.
You can call us at 704.234.6005 or email us at support@expresstrucktax.com. Our world-class support team is ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have in English and in Spanish.
Tweet at us on Twitter or post on our Facebook page how meditation has helped you, or even how you like to meditate. We love hearing from you, Trucking Nation! Remember, meditation is not what you think.