There’s no doubt stress affects mental health, from impacting concentration and decision-making abilities to causing severe anxiety and depression.
Farmers face natural and expected stress daily. However, add challenges like what’s been experienced in 2019, and it can lead to excessive hardship that can take a toll on mental health.
The big picture
Do More Agriculture Foundation executive director Adelle Stewart explains that mental health is encompassed in a larger picture, and the pillars to total wellness need to be recognized.
“Living and working on the farm, our physical health needs are often met, but total health encompasses more than resistance training and elevated heart rates,” Stewart says. “Achieving a consistent return to mental wellness requires a balance of physical, emotional, spiritual and social attention.”
She says it’s also important to know that everyone floats between mental wellness and mental stress, usually daily.
“One in five individuals will fluctuate to mental illness in their lifetime,” Stewart says.
Tips for mental well-being
That makes it important to look after mental health before there’s a problem. Stewart says because people are social creatures, quality interaction with others is a good idea.
“Whether it is taking a pause to eat a meal as a family, or attending morning coffee at the local shop - ensuring to spend some quality time on a social level with family and friends is a great first step to creating a supportive network,” Stewart says. “Understandably, a lot of our work as producers is done solo, so making meaningful interactions via technology can help get us through as well.”
Early recognition of undue stress can also go a long way in maintaining mental health.
“Often times, it is our loved ones who will notice a decline in our total health, before we do,” Stewart says. “Be sure to listen if someone asks and reach out if you need.”
Gerry Friesen is a conflict and stress management expert for Backswath Management. His top piece of advice to protect personal mental health is to be self-aware of the effects of stress and be aware of personal behaviour.
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