July/August 2020 - 19

In 2017, the University of Maryland
issued " 8 Dimensions of Wellness, "
which identified the areas of human
wellbeing - physical, social, emotional,
intellectual, vocational, environmental,
spiritual and financial.
The presenters noted that anticipation
for a big event, whether it be planting,
harvesting or getting ready for a family
get-together, can cause stress, but
oftentimes helps motivate and focus us
to do what's needed to get through it.
Prolonged stress causes distress, which
can lead to both mental and physical
health problems, like hypertension or
nervous disorder.
Weather, which is uncontrollable,
of course, is a major cause of worry
for farmers. Some other roots of stress
noted were:
* Large debt loads
* Government regulations
* Machinery breakdowns
* High interest rates
* Crop yields, which can hinge on
weather, pests and disease
* Livestock illness
* Commodity prices
* Family disagreements
" Disagreements with family members
is something unique to small business,
including farming, where you often have
many generations working together, " a
panelist said.
Step one in managing stress is
identifying that it's present. Signals can
come:
* Mentally (anxiety, sadness, anger,
feelings of hopelessness)
* Physically (headaches, nausea,
backaches, elevated blood pressure or
blood sugar, racing heart)
* Through actions (increased alcohol,
tobacco or drug use, unusual eating
or sleeping patterns, yelling, breaking
things, withdrawal)
Be on the lookout for warning signs
in yourself, as well as co-workers and
family members on the farm, especially
when there are financial, equipment or
crop issues present.
MANAGEMENT
The MSU panel noted that everyone is
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different and there is no " one-size-fits-all "
approach for coping with mental stress.
2020-06-26 10:17 AM
There are many day-to-day practices for
those experiencing stress to try, however.
In 2018, the North Dakota State
University Extension published " My
Coping Strategies Plan, " a toolbox that
offers dozens of physical, mental, social
and financial tips that can help maintain
physical and mental health. They range
from prioritizing daily tasks and goals
to exercising to playing with children,
grandchildren or pets.
" A study found that 30% of adults
felt less stress after exercise, " said Eric
Karbowski, a community behavioral
health Extension educator that focuses
on farm stress.
Most importantly, experts say don't
rely on drugs or alcohol to cope and
don't withdraw and try to shoulder it
alone, which can be difficult for farmers
to avoid due to the isolated and stressful
nature of the job. Colella cited Michael
Rosmann's
2010
publication,
" The
Agrarian Imperative, " which explores
the mental aspect of being a farmer.
" Farmers have a strong connection
with their land and animals and will
hang on to them at all costs, " she said.
Spudman * July/August 2020
19
July/August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2020
