Harvest is right around the corner, where farm families work together to accomplish numerous tasks. I often hear farmers share what they love most about farming, and aspects of harvest season are described. However, with unpredictable weather and market prices, time can be critical and intense stress can exist. We often hear sayings such as, “Embrace the suck,” or “It’s okay to not be okay.” However, how do we be okay when we do not feel okay?
Recognize your stress symptoms.
The first step in gauging how you feel is to recognize when you are experiencing stress. Where do you notice your stress in your body? Our stress symptoms can be emotional (moodiness, irritability, anger, loneliness, anxiousness, panic), cognitive (forgetful, constant worrying, pessimism), physical (fatigue, headaches, aches and pains, gastrointestinal), and behavioral (issues with sleep, eating too much or too little, use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes, procrastination). Write down your stress symptoms. Do other people notice your stress? Do they notice different stress signs about you?
Determine your control.
You know you are stressed, and you recognize your stress symptoms. Think about everything that is on your plate – all of your stressors. Maybe your stressors involve finances, strained relationships, weather, market prices, limitations with the pandemic, etc. Which stressors can you control? Which stressors are outside of your control? When we worry about stressors that are outside of our control, our thoughts and feelings spiral downwards where it can be difficult to dig out of negative thought patterns. Try to focus on what you can control.
Admit when you need help.
Harvest can feel like a whirlwind with incredible pressure. When you feel like your stressors are extremely overwhelming and your stress symptoms are intense and persistent, it is important to seek support. Support can be from family, friends, neighbors, pastors/spiritual leaders, and counselors. The Avera Farm and Rural Stress hotline (1-800-691-4336) provides professional assistance that is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
SDSU Extension also offers a behavioral health voucher program for farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and their immediate family members. The voucher program will include funding for up to five free mental health counseling sessions at Rising Hope Counseling. Farmers/ranchers, their family members, and agribusiness professionals can complete a voucher interest form or call Rising Hope Counseling at 605-494-1500 to schedule an appointment.
Forgive yourself.
If you are currently struggling with your thoughts and feelings, you are not alone. It is okay to have days where you feel competent and accomplished, and other days where it might be a struggle to accomplish one task. Forgive yourself for the hard days.
For additional tools and information, see SDSU Extension’s collection of farm and ranch stress resources.
