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Despite this farming can be very stressful at times. Extreme climatic events, market fluctuations, labor shortage and natural disaster can all contribute to stress.
Social isolation and working long hours can make this hard to cope with. The “she’ll be right” culture, working physically hard long after most people have retired, stoicism, and family farm dynamics can make it hard to speak up and help lift the emotional burden.
Use this guide to help you through these difficult times.
Objective
Learn how to identify symptoms of stress and take action
Signs to look out for
Different people respond differently to potentially stressful situations. Be aware of some of the common effects of stress to watch out for in yourself and others:
poor sleep or sleeping more than usual
poor concentration, irritability, and anger
increased drinking or smoking
poor decision making, avoiding making decisions or forgetfulness
changed appetite, not feeling well or nervousness
feel like you are at the end of your tether
Simple Steps
eat healthy, nutritious food
get adequate sleep and have a regular sleep routine
make time to get away from the farm
allow yourself time to do something you enjoy
stay socially connected
Actions
These are things that can help you through a stressful period.
make a list of people and services you can call on for information and assistance
break large tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks which you can then prioritise in order of importance
keep the lines of communication open—schedule regular farm business meetings and don’t avoid making decisions
celebrate and reward success, even small wins should be acknowledged
keep in touch with farming groups and industry networks—they are sources of information and social contact
schedule time away from the farm—taking a break gives you fresh perspective, renewed energy and improved decision-making power