ENTERTAINMENT BRAIN FOOD

When you’re on the road there’s nothing worse than getting bored in the driver’s seat. This can be dangerous, for other drivers and yourself, with an increased risk of microsleeping or inattentiveness due to sheer monotony. Keeping your brain active on the road is also important for your mental wellbeing and can be a step in the right direction to improving your overall health. Thanks to technology and creators across streaming services there are now more options than ever to keep you entertained on the road.

RADIO PLAYS

Before television became a household staple, radio dramas kept families entertained. It was a new genre of fiction, quicker and easier to consume than reading books. When the novel War of the Worlds was broadcast as a radio play in 1938, people sat glued to their radios to hear how the story would pan out. It's said people were so convinced by the storytelling that they believed the events were actually occurring, and they ran outside expecting to see alien invaders in shiny transport crafts roaming the streets. Classic radio plays can be heard through streaming services, via the entertainment system in the cab of your truck keeping you entertained as you go.

AUDIO BOOKS

Many television and screen actors supplement their income by narrating audio books, and these can be a great form of entertainment while driving. If the narrator of a book is more important to you than the story, you can choose an audiobook featuring your favourite celebrity. If your aim is to be entertained or informed, you can choose an audiobook by subject matter. These days some franchises, such as Star Wars or DC, have audio-only books which are not published in traditional formats, which illustrates the staying power and pull of audio books. Some books are better when listened to rather than read, and long days behind the wheel create the perfect opportunity for uninterrupted listening. Many streaming services have free audio books so all you need to do is connect your Bluetooth to the entertainment system and get listening. Public libraries also have audio book options and are an important community service that should not be overlooked.

PODCASTS

Podcasts are audio shows produced by professionals as well as hobbyists. They can cover any topic and have almost any format that can be imagined. There are podcasts for sports, history, politics, covering different hobbies, life experiences, travelling, pop culture, genre fiction, talk-show like set ups, subculture, and more. You can approach podcasts knowing what you like and look around for a podcaster who covers topics you are interested in. Or you can always go out on a limb by listening and learning about a topic you’re not familiar with.

LISTEN TO LEARN

There is no reason the cab of the truck can't become a lecture hall or a classroom. Upskilling has become a way to keep your career fluid and stay up to date with technological advances and changes in policy and procedures. It doesn’t have to be all about your career though, you can also explore your special interests. Universities around the globe offer lectures on introductory topics that can be listened to for free. It’s an accessible way to get into your areas of interest without the commitment of enrolling in a degree, which comes with the added baggage of essays and exams.

TRIVIA

For a fun change, trivia is proven to keep the mind agile and curious. Streaming services have topic-specific trivia that can be played while you drive. General knowledge trivia can show how up to date you are on a range of subjects, while special interest trivia will quiz you with tougher questions on the topics you’re most passionate about. Listening to trivia handsfree through the sound system in your truck after downloading it from a streaming service can help keep your mind agile and alert while driving and challenge your memory and knowledge. There is no reason you cannot make on-the-road-trivia groups, via the social media of your choice through updating a group chat at truck stops as you stretch and move your body after a long stint behind the wheel. Sharing interests with colleagues, family, and friends to stay in touch creates something together.

CONNECTING WHEREVER YOU GO

During the on-going lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 it was shown that morale and mood could be boosted by connecting with people in the community. Online games, video call quizzes, eSports, and virtual marathons were a handful of the ways that people did activities together while in isolation. Truck driving has proven to be a very isolating career than can undermine the sense of connection with family and community. These brain food activities can be shared with your nearest and dearest. Staying curious is one of the top recommendations given to those working on improving their mental fitness. Staying curious provides you with endless things to learn and explore, leaving no day wasted. To explore more ways to enjoy yourself on the road and improve mental fitness check out this Sharp as a Tack – Mental Fitness on the Road.