Cognitive Burn Out After Work

Wondering if you guys get burnt out after a driving shift? Even getting good sleep, I have a ton of projects I should be working on, writing a book, creating music, a screenplay I've been working on, but I find myself mentally exhausted and just want to watch TV, zone out and shut my brain off. I'm rarely physically tired, but cognitively tired.

I find driving most days relaxing and a stress relief especially out in rural areas with music up loud, as crazy as that may sound, so I'm kind of puzzled as to why I get so tired mentally at the end of my day.

I think that what you are experiencing is completely normal for a driver. I have the same “cognitive burn-out” after a long shift and I expect most other drivers do also.

Of all the jobs I’ve done in my life, driving is the most intense activity of all. If a driver uses up most of his 11 hour driving time and perhaps most of his 14 hour duty time, that amount of intense concentration for so long is extremely draining, both physically and mentally.

Driving for long periods of time subjects the driver to what is called “information overload”. There is so much information to constantly process. Concentration has to be non stop. One lapse can literally be fatal.

So, it’s never a surprise to me that I get that cognitive burn-out after my shift. It just feels so great to get parked and enjoy the comforts of the sleeper compartment!

Here's a suggestion. Cut out the music. I know you think that's part of what's relaxing. This is something I discovered that works for me.

As a musician, I love music, but I find listening to it all day overloads my mind. I think it's because I'm a musician. My mind is subconsciously analyzing and picking out the various parts like the bass line or the back beat or whatever features of the music it's drawn to.

Give it a try and see.

Driving all day everyday involves a lot of work going on in that cranial cavity. It's exhausting in itself. Add some lively music in all day and I'm busted.