The Alertness Equation: How Positive Relationships Add Up

By Rodolfo Giacoman, Fatigue Management Specialist, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance

According to a meta-analysis of 148 studies on mortality as it relates to social relationships, with combined data from 308,849 individuals, the subjects with relatively strong social relationships had a 50% higher rate of survival compared to those with few or weaker social relationships.

Another meta-analysis by the same authors found that ongoing loneliness raises a person’s odds of death by 26% in any given year. According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, people who maintain warm relationships at age 50 are the most likely to live beyond age 65. The study also found these relationships to be the single most important predictor of satisfaction at age 65. This suggests that positive relationships not only contribute to our physical health but also to our mental and emotional well-being.

That’s why CVSA conducted a webinar on “Nurturing Positive Relationships” in July, as part of the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP) Driver Series. The series covers the five keys to wellness:

1. Sleep hygiene
2. Exercise
3. Nutrition
4. Mindfulness
5. Positive relationships

For the sleep hygiene webinar, our featured speaker was Tom DiSalvi, vice chairman of the National Sleep Foundation Board of Directors, and Schneider National’s vice president of safety, driver training and compliance. For the webinar on exercise, our featured speaker was Dr. Mark Manera, founder and chief executive officer of Supply Chain Fitness. For the nutrition webinar, instead of having a featured speaker, we took a virtual tour through truck-stop restaurant menus and a supermarket. For the Mindfulness webinar, our featured speaker was Emily Moorhead, 200-hour certified yoga teacher and CVSA writer-editor. For the webinar on positive relationships, we were fortunate to have a guest who excels at nurturing interpersonal connections: Ruth McDonough, specialized cargo driver at Hittman Transport Services and CVSA 2022 International Driver Excellence Award winner.

Right off the bat, McDonough taught us a lesson. When we invited her to do the webinar remotely —as we usually do – she replied, “You want to talk about nurturing personal relationships? Then let’s do it face to face.” She drove more than six hours from her home in Tennessee to our headquarters in Washington, D.C., where we had a delightful conversation and a wonderful visit. Read on for a summary of our discussion, and be sure to view the webinar at www.nafmp.org to hear from  McDonough herself.

What are positive relationships?

Positive relationships are characterized by mutual respect, trust, support and cooperation. Both parties feel valued, understood and appreciated. They involve people who communicate effectively, listen attentively to each other's needs and concerns, and strive to find common ground and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

How do positive relationships add up for commercial drivers?

• Improved health: Individuals with strong social connections and supportive relationships tend to have lower risks of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. They also have lower rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.
• Reduced stress: Positive relationships can serve as stress regulators, helping drivers cope with the challenges of their job. Social support can also buffer the effects of stress, reducing the risk of stress-related negative health outcomes and improving mental health.
• Enhanced alertness: When drivers feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be mentally alert and focused. This can lead to improved safety and performance on the road.
• Increased motivation: Positive relationships can provide a sense of purpose and motivation, which can help drivers stay engaged in their work and achieve their goals.
• Improved job satisfaction: Commercial drivers with strong relationships with their colleagues and supervisors are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and less likely to experience burnout.

What can drivers do to nurture positive relationships?

• Make time for your relationships: Even with a busy schedule, it's important to set aside time for the people you care about. Make an effort to connect with them regularly, whether it's through phone calls, video chats or in-person visits.
• Be open and honest: Communication is key in any relationship. Be open and honest with your loved ones about your thoughts, feelings and needs. This will help them to understand and support you better.
• Be supportive: Offer emotional, practical and motivational support to your loved ones. Celebrate their successes and be there for them during difficult times.
• Be respectful: Treat your loved ones with respect, even when you disagree with them. Value their opinions, boundaries and individuality.
• Resolve conflicts constructively: When conflicts arise, it's important to resolve them in a respectful and constructive manner. Avoid personal attacks and focus on finding solutions that work for everyone involved.

What can motor carriers do to nurture positive relationships?

• Create a positive work environment: Motor carriers can create a positive work environment by fostering a culture of respect, trust and support. This includes providing fair compensation and benefits, training and development opportunities, and a safe work environment.
• Encourage communication: Motor carriers can encourage communication by providing employees with opportunities to share their feedback and suggestions. They can also establish regular check-ins with employees to discuss their goals and needs.
• Support drivers' well-being: Motor carriers can support drivers' well-being by offering employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide free, confidential counseling and support services. They can also offer wellness programs and other resources to help drivers stay healthy and manage stress.

Tips for Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Industry

• Get involved in the community: Joining a truck club or participating in other industry events is a great way to meet other drivers and build relationships.
• Use social media: Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family as you travel, as well as other drivers. There are also many online support groups and forums for commercial drivers.
• Be a mentor: If you have experience in the industry, consider mentoring a new driver. This is a great way to give back to the community and build a positive relationship with another driver.
• Take care of yourself: It's important to take care of yourself physically and mentally to maintain positive relationships. Make sure to practice good sleep hygiene, eat nutritiously, move regularly and practice mindfulness.

By nurturing positive relationships, drivers may reduce stress, improve their health and enhance their performance on the road. For motor carriers, creating a positive work environment that encourages positive relationships can lead to employees that are safer, more motivated and healthier. Companies should never subtract activities that promote positive relationships from their fatigue management equation.