7 Tips to Help Reduce Stress During a Busy Season
Life on the farm can look a little chaotic these days. The kids are back in school, the crops are starting to turn and there’s probably some animal - be it dog, hog or cow - where it doesn’t belong. (Sigh!) Let’s face it, every day on the farm can be chaotic, but as harvest season approaches, a whole new level of stress is just about to begin.
With busy season ramping up for farmers across the country, now’s a good time to revisit some strategies to help manage stress as your workload picks up. Jenna Bloomfield, Solutions Advisor at Boomer Consulting, Inc., offers these tips to help deal with stress during chaotic times:
- Get enough sleep. While this is easier said than done, try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every day. Late nights with only a few hours of sleep can wear you down both physically and mentally. Take time to rest and recharge!
- Don’t procrastinate. Keep an ongoing list of tasks you need to accomplish and try to tackle your most important ones first. It’s tempting to put off dreaded tasks in favor of small wins, but putting off the inevitable just allows guilt and anxiety to build.
- Take breaks. Take a couple of short breaks each day to think about something other than work. Talk to a friend or family member, watch funny videos online or flip through your favorite farm magazine. Just a few minutes of mental rest can sustain you over a long workday.
- Focus on communication. Whether you're talking to family or employees, make sure you’re clear about what needs to be done. Sacrificing clear communication for the sake of time typically leads to errors and needing to redo work.
- Automate whenever possible. Look for ways to automate small routine tasks you do every day. It may take you a while to get automations set up, but saving just a few minutes a day can add up to a significant chunk of time over the course of a year.
- Spend time with friends and family. Studies have shown that spending time with family and friends can help people cope with stress because it encourages talking about problems instead of turning to less healthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or sugar.
- Laugh. Laughter is a great form of stress relief. According to the Mayo Clinic, it stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, increases endorphins and lowers blood pressure. Plus, it adds a bit more joy to our day!
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