For people working in production agriculture, the hectic fall season often requires a reminder to take care of themselves and strive to reduce stress. It’s always important to pay attention to your mental health, but especially during active times like harvest, which coincides with World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10.
William Sansing, a former FFA member and a licensed professional counselor supervisor from Starkville, Miss., provides tips on how to best manage mental health during this busy time of year.
“Harvest season is a culmination for a year’s worth of work, and there are a lot of uncontrollable aspects associated with the harvest — from weather to equipment failure to the reality of how good the harvest is,” Sansing says. “It’s a lot of work compacted into a short period of time, and that brings a lot of stress for FFA members in production agriculture. They have school activities and farm chores, so they have to find ways to juggle it all.”
Dr. William Sansing
1. Recognize stress is a normal part of life. Stress comes in multiple dimensions — physical and psychological. There is good stress and bad stress. Short-term stress comes quickly, is dealt with and we move on; long-term stressors can last a while. Sometimes stress motivates us toward healthy behaviors, but sometimes stress triggers unhealthy behaviors.
2. Communicate about expectations. Unspoken expectations often lead to resentment. When there are unspoken expectations between parents and children or between teachers and students, stress goes up. Sometimes you may need to modify your expectations to find solutions that work for everyone involved.
3. Carve out time for self-care. Spend time with people in your support system, such as finding a time to share a meal together. Eat healthy foods and practice good hygiene. Go for a hike, listen to music or do something else that brings you joy.
4. Practice prayer, meditation or mindfulness exercises. Sansing recommends a technique called box breathing, which is used by Navy SEALs to relieve stress in combat. Box breathing involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding your lungs empty for four seconds before inhaling and repeating the pattern.
5. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep sounds so simple, yet people often find it difficult to maintain sufficient rest patterns during very busy seasons. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night.
6. Take a break for fun. Sure, you can work seven days a week, and many in production agriculture do. But does it really make you more productive? Taking breaks to do something fun will help you recharge both mentally and physically. If possible, involve the whole family in a fun activity or outing, even if it’s coming together for dinner in the field.
7. If stress becomes unmanageable, reach out for help. Recognize the signs of stress, such as becoming irritable or impatient, excessive fatigue and withdrawing from others. Don’t be afraid to let someone know how you’re feeling. Have an honest conversation with a professional outside your normal circle, such as a school counselor, someone in your church or faith community, or an adult you trust.
See More Online
Have 15 minutes? Watch former National FFA Secretary Kourtney Lehman’s retiring address focused on mental health.
Then check out these real-life mental health stories from actual farmers featured in a new docuseries called “On the Farm” from Mississippi State University Extension.
