Uncategorized
-
One thing I know about stress for sure—a good way to help manage stress is to be as prepared as possible for stressful things that might come our way. Just like the Boy Scouts say, it is important to Be Prepared. In Georgia (and Florida and Texas and Louisiana and other coastal states), something we…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Have you ever been in a situation where someone you cared about was hurting or stressed or in a bad place, and when you offered to help they just stiffened up and said “No, I’m fine”? It’s so frustrating when it’s clear the person could use a little support but they won’t accept it. I…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
It happened again last night. I woke up at 3:10 am with my mind racing, thinking about all the things I need to get done, and all the things that aren’t going well, and all the things that could go wrong, and all the problems I have to fix, and, and, and…. Sound familiar? Early…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
One of my favorite podcaster/bloggers in the world of farm stress is Steph Schmitt from Australia, who is a farmer and a psychologist (you can check out her site here ). She is full of practical advice, grounded in the reality of being a working farmer herself. Today I read something she posted about farmers…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
For the past month or so I’ve had the opportunity to interview a number of producers about farm stress. I’ve asked them what they have seen and experienced, and what they think farmers need to know regarding stress and stress management. Overwhelmingly, I’ve heard the same message. Over and over again, they tell me “Farmers…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
In this blog I’ve talked a lot about ways to reduce and manage stress. Well, I’ve learned about another way to think about stress that can also be helpful— “stress inoculation.” Just like getting exposed to a small amount of a virus in a vaccine can protect you from catching the virus later and getting…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
It’s Memorial Day, when we remember those men and women who have given their lives for our country. Memorial Day falls in the month of May, which means it is during Mental Health Awareness month. I can’t help but think about these two ideas together—remembering those who have died in service and being aware of…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Have you ever had a time when you were stressed, but just didn’t want to talk to anyone or interact with any person? In this blog we’ve talked a lot about how important it is to reach out and connect when you’re feeling stressed or down…but sometimes in the moment, it just doesn’t feel right.…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
A few days ago, I had a really interesting conversation with a seasoned Ag educator and farmer about farmer stress and supporting farmers. He was talking about the Golden Rule—you know, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—and he asked me a question that has really stuck with me. “If,” he…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Sometimes people get uncomfortable or put off when we talk about mental health. It makes some folks feel like the conversation is going to get all squishy and overly emotional, or that needing support about mental health means someone is “crazy.” Sometimes words like “mental health” “counseling” “therapy” can…
Posted in: Uncategorized