All industries have challenges and growing is no different. Weather patterns, fluctuating prices, changing legislative requirements, media stories and now issues surrounding Covid-19 are all part of the pressures farmers and growers deal with.

The good news is that you can prepare mentally and physically for these pressures by proactively investing in your wellbeing. This means you’ll be more resilient to handle the ups and downs.

Below are some tools and tips that farmers and growers have told us work for them.

STAY CONNECTED

First give yourself permission to feel the way you do. Everyone has off days so cut yourself some slack.

But if you’re feeling that way, chances are your neighbour is too. So connect with others, your mates, your family. Don’t bottle it up, share the load. Talking about challenges and frustrations
with others really helps people get through tough times.

INVEST IN YOUR WELLBEING

We know growing is a job with a unique set of challenges, that’s why growers are known for being epic problem-solvers. But no one can control the weather let along what’s happening with Covid-19.

However what you do to look after your physical and mental wellbeing is within our control. Just like you look after your land and equipment to ensure they perform well, there are things you can do to look after yourself too.

Farmstrong talk about having a ‘Wellbeing Bank Account’. Think of your wellbeing like making small investments in your account. These will add up over time so that when you’re under the pump, you can draw on them to help you get through. Simple but it works.

The investments you can make are – keeping physically fit and in condition, eating well and having the right fuel in the tank, staying connected and having good relationships with staff, friends, family and your local community, having planned breaks and organising regular time off to recharge your batteries and adopting helpful strategies to deal with unhealthy stress.

We all know healthy crops need small, regular amounts of water to thrive. We don’t wait until they’ve almost dried up, douse them and expect them to bounce back. The same goes for you.

Small, regular investments in your wellbeing bank account will make you much more likely to cope well with pressure.

TAKE A BREAK FROM THE NEWS

Taking a break from the news related to the Covid-19 crisis can be invaluable and instead try spending the time you free up to focus on stress relieving activities. Also remind yourself that there is lots of support from kiwis for the work you do.

So if a few headlines are stressing you out, take a break from the news and social media and stop to enjoy the view from ‘your office’ or connect with your mates.

This article was adapted with permission from Farmstrong:
www.farmstrong.co.nz.