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Music is about as close to real magic as you can get on this planet, don’t you think? It holds amazing power to transform the way we think, feel, and behave. It brings people together, tells stories, and celebrates the good times. It also allows us to truly feel the difficult times in a way that can be healing. And for trucking, music is key to staying awake sometimes.
By honing some of music’s incredible capabilities, we can use it to help us stay awake and focused. Ways of staying awake and focused are important for every long-haul truck driver.
Here, we’re dancing along to the science of music. We’ll learn how to create the perfect truck-driving playlist that can help keep you safe and alert while on the road.
Not only have humans made and listened to music for millennia (some 35,000 years according to the Smithsonian), but it’s a widely studied topic, too. There has been a lot of research conducted on music. Much of the research proves the transformative effects music has on our emotions, cognition, and overall well-being.
But two interesting studies in particular are important for drivers. The first outlines relaxing music’s ability to reduce mental fatigue when performing repetitive tasks. A second study found “high-intensity, high-tempo, more danceable” music to be a viable short-term countermeasure to driving fatigue.
Being behind the wheel for 60 hours a week can lead to a search for ways to stay alert. But science tells us that the magic formula lies in a well-curated playlist.
Of course—and perhaps most importantly—healthy habits play a massive role in feeling awake and energized, too. Music is simply a fun and effective way to supplement those other aspects of a healthy lifestyle to help you focus on the road until your next nap stop!
Before we jump into some jovial jams, we want to share three tips to make your in-the-truck music listening as convenient and safe as possible:
Popular music streaming platforms offer a vast selection of music — and lots of curated playlists for all types of moods. If you want to save yourself some time, try searching one of these platforms for keywords like “energized” or “focused” to find playlists that suit that mood.
Also, take advantage of features like offline downloads to ensure you always have access to music, even in areas with poor reception. Nothing is worse than your music cutting out when you’re in the heat of belting out your favorite chorus.
Most mobile devices these days have some form of virtual assistant or voice command technology. Use it to switch songs, adjust the volume, or search for new music hands-free. This goes without saying, but your phone should never be in your hands while you’re driving.
Music burnout is real. After listening to the same playlist for a while, your brain may start tuning out familiar songs. To help mitigate this, regularly adding new tracks or revisiting older favorites can help maintain the mental stimulation you need for safe driving.
If you’ve never searched for pre-made playlists before, allow us to introduce you to a few for various tastes:
If your taste is different from some of these playlists, don’t worry! There are thousands of pre-made playlists out there. Search for the vibe or genre you’re aiming for and something is sure to present itself. And of course, you can always create your own playlist for a truly curated experience.
Music is a great first option when it comes to long-distance driving; it’s ample, it’s upbeat (at least the kind you should be listening to on the road), but sometimes you need a break from it. Enter other forms of audio entertainment: podcasts and audiobooks.
These forms of media can break up the monotony of constant music, which may help keep your brain engaged differently and prevent auditory fatigue. Rotate between music and spoken/conversational content throughout the day or week to develop a routine that works well for you.
If you’ve never dabbled in this world of audio content, here are some suggestions to get you started:
The past 10 years or so have represented a seismic boom in the development of audio content. And while there are so many forms of entertainment available to stream nowadays, audio content is the only form of entertainment appropriate to enjoy while driving. This boom in audio content development is a great thing for truck drivers. There’s never been more stuff to listen to to help make your long journeys a little less monotonous.
Beating highway hypnosis is no easy feat — especially on those longer excursions. However, music and other forms of audio entertainment are great tools for truckers. Keep music in your tool belt to supplement their other healthy habits and routines.
High-tempo and even relaxing music can do wonders for concentration and alertness. So, if you find yourself needing a little pick-me-up halfway through your journey and your afternoon coffee can’t kick you into high gear, push play on your favorite playlist.
Learn more on how to better manage your over-the-road fleet:
All fleet cards are not the same, and different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View WEX’s fleet card comparison chart to see which fleet fuel card is right for you.
Subscribe to our Inside WEX blog and follow us on social media for the insider view on everything WEX, from payments innovation to what it means to be a WEXer.
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