Put your mental health first during the busy season

Those working in agriculture face unique stressors.  Even under ideal conditions, farming and ranching can be stressful. It can be difficult for farmers to leave their stress at work at the end of the day.

Many things are out of a farmer’s control and as the busy season approaches, the rising demands and pressures of farming are likely to increase stress and impact our mental health.

Farmers and ranchers are known to be resilient. In recent years, more attention has been focused on farmers and ranchers putting their health first – both physical and mental. Farmers and ranchers are taking the most important step – learning and talking more about mental health, which helps to prepare to better manage their mental and physical health during the busy season.

While eliminating stress may not be realistic, especially during a busy season, there are management strategies that can be employed to reduce and relieve it.

Here are 10 strategies to help you put your mental health first:

1. Take time for yourself: Doing something you enjoy that’s just for you can go a long way to filling up your mental health cup. This could be 15 minutes of meditation (try it, it can help), a few minutes with a book, a cup of coffee in the quiet before the family wakes up, a walk with your dog, etc. There will always be work that needs to be done, especially during the busy seasons, and prioritizing your mental health is one of the most important things a farmer and rancher can do. Taking care of one self may look and feel different each season, but there are small things you can do that will make a huge, positive impact on your mental health.