Farm Stress & Decision Making During Challenging Times
John Shutske,
Extension Specialist
University of
Wisconsin Madison &
UW Extension
Cooperative Extension
What Causes Stress
for Farmers and Farm Families?
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
●
I haven’t started the paperwork for that major
loan due next week!
●
Who knows whether the big tractor will make it
through another full chopping season?
●
Should I go back to school with so much economic
uncertainty?
●
How will I ever find time to learn more about
precision farming?
●
What will happen to commodity prices after all this political turmoil?
●
My spouse and I just cannot talk about things
the way we used to.
●
I haven't had a moment to myself since we added
all that custom work to make our business plan feasible.
●
There's a missed call on my smartphone—One of our
employees is hurt!
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| Farmers face many stressors. Photo credit: John W Hancock/Shutterstock.com |
The list could continue endlessly for most people who work
in agriculture. Farming is one of the most stressful occupations in the U.S.
The following are some of the common stressors we encounter:
●
Financial pressures
●
Debt load
●
Dependence on unpredictable weather and volatile
markets
●
Extreme outdoor work conditions
●
Fatigue
●
Lack of personal time
●
Little time to talk through difficult problems
●
Inter-generational differences and views of work, business philosophy, and the future
●
Excessive workloads, which hinder our ability to
cultivate valuable relationships
●
Health, pain, disability, or mobility issues connected to
years of physical labor
Stress is a double-edged sword. A little stress can serve as
a constructive motivator, galvanizing us to action. Too much stress, on the
other hand, can damage our health, compromise safety, and sabotage personal
relationships. It diminishes our capacity for considering and evaluating
alternative solutions to complex problems, and this can limit our power to make
sound decisions. Stress often manifests itself through vicious cycles with
escalating consequences that can paralyze a person or family.
With the arduous and sometimes volatile conditions we see in
agriculture, the risks of too much stress are alarming. Material here comes from three decades of working and spending time with farmers, agricultural service
providers, community leaders, lenders, clergy, health professionals, educators,
and others in the ag industry to compile answers to these questions:
1. What causes stress in the lives of farmers, their family
members, workers, and those closely connected?
2. How do successful individuals and families in agriculture cope with stress?
Physically, What
Happens?
Stress is our reaction to a threatening event or stimulus.
Such events and stimuli are called "stressors." People differ in how
they perceive and react to stressors. Something one person might rate as highly
stressful might be rated as considerably less stressful (or even desirable) by another. Several
factors influence our capacity to cope with stress:
●
The presence of a social network (e.g., family,
friends, community groups, church)
● Our skills in assessing a complex situation and
then developing and evaluating solutions
●
Personal variables (e.g., physical health, life experience, confidence, anxiety threshold, problem-solving ability)
 |
| Individuals and families are directly affected by stress. Photo credit: Joy Brown/Shutterstock.com |
When we encounter a stressor, our brain and body respond by triggering a series of chemical reactions that prepare us to engage with—"fight
off"—or run away from the stressor. Two hormones that we release are
adrenaline, which prepares muscles for exertion, and cortisol, which regulates
bodily functions. If a stressor is
exceptionally frightening, it might cause us to freeze up and become
incapacitated. The stress response
causes our:
●
Blood pressure to rise,
●
Heart rate to increase,
●
Digestive system to slow down (or stop), and
●
Blood to clot more quickly.
Thousands of years ago, a caveman (or woman) who stumbled
upon a hungry saber-toothed tiger would be more likely to survive the encounter
if they were able to spring up and sprint away swiftly. An increase in blood
pressure and heart rate and a slowdown of digestive processes meant more energy
could be directed toward escaping, and if they couldn’t run quickly enough,
their odds of surviving if wounded by the hungry tiger were better if their
blood clotted rapidly.
 |
| Too much unmanaged stress is associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased injury risk. Photo credit:Alexander Kalina /Shutterstock.com |
Today, this physical response to stress can be damaging to
our health. Unrelieved stress is a known risk factor in many leading
causes of premature death among adults; conditions and illnesses such as heart
disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and deterioration of the immune
system. Stress is also a risk factor for depression and suicide.
What about My Safety?
Farming ranks as one of the most dangerous industries in the
U.S. Stress, long hours, and fatigue contribute to injury risk. When we confront
several stressors at once, we may become distracted. Distraction can cause errors that lead
to serious or fatal incidents such as tractor rollovers or entanglement in a
fast-moving machine. Thus, proper safety precautions are essential to prevent such tragedies.
 |
| Stress & economic conditions can influence safety conditions and behaviors. Photo credit: GW Images/Shutterstock.com |
Farm operators who face financial pressures while running a
modern farming operation sometimes don’t invest in eliminating farm hazards.
Damaged or missing shields are not replaced. Old tractors are not retrofitted
with rollbars and seatbelts. Investments in equipment and facilities needed for
safe animal handling and housing are deferred.
Children are required to do potentially dangerous farm work before they
are physically and mentally ready to perform these jobs safely, or the family may not have help or resources to look after very young kids. All farm safety
efforts must include taking specific steps to better cope with the stress we
are likely to experience!
At the end of this article, you will find a “top ten” list
of farm safety tips based on the research and experience of safety specialists
and researchers throughout the U.S.
How Do Farmers and
Their Families Cope with Stress?
 |
| Managing and mitigating stress requires a purposeful set of strategic actions. Photo credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com |
During recent decades, we have learned how
successful farmers and families effectively manage their stress by sitting down
and discussing their stress management methods with them. The actions described
in the following paragraphs come directly from those discussions and
suggestions from the ag community. Some of these actions involve preparing
ourselves physically or emotionally to deal with stress, while other actions,
such as planning and education, involve efforts to minimize confusion and ambiguity while bolstering our levels of "hope" and perceived control.
It is important to recognize that it's impossible (in any
job) to totally eliminate all stress but that effective management is possible.
You Are What You Eat
Eat right: It sounds simple, but we don't always do it! No
farm operator would ever dream of feeding their animals lousy feed or heading
out to the field in a chopper with a half-filled tank of low-grade diesel fuel
to complete harvest.
Yet, when the rush season rolls around, we fill our bodies
with cheap fast food and other high-fat, low-nutrition junk, or worse, we don't
eat at all! It's worth the time to wake up a few minutes early to eat breakfast
and pack a nutritious lunch that includes fruits and vegetables to munch on
during the day, with limited amounts of fatty meats, added sugar, and caffeine.
An occasional cup of coffee or a can of soda is okay for most people if
balanced with plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day.
Sufficient water intake is critically important while working. An easy way to tell whether you're hydrated: check the color of
your urine. If it's dark, you're probably not drinking enough.
Get Moving!
Exercise is a natural and healthy stress reliever. Physical
activity provides an outlet for extra energy generated by the chemicals
released in the body during stressful situations. Exercise stimulates and even
increases the size of the parts of the brain that keep our stress response in
check as well as the parts of the brain that we need for good decision making and problem solving. A simple, purposeful 20-minute walk with your spouse, partner, child, or friend can make all the difference in the world. People who exercise during the day often experience better quality sleep, and adequate rest and sleep also help us cope with an ever-changing world.
Exercise prepares us for the long,
strenuous work days. If your doctor approves, a
few minutes of walking or other aerobic exercise can have tremendous
stress-relieving effects, and you will feel less exhausted at day's end. An Olympic athlete or marathon runner
wouldn’t tackle a grueling race without proper body preparation, and the
demanding physical and mental work of farming is not all that different. Timely
exercise eases the strain of vigorous physical activity and brightens our
perspective.
Laughter helps us to see all sides of an adverse situation and relieves us
from the cycle of stress. It's easier to laugh and regain perspective when
we're around other people, which is a reason why coffee shops, restaurants, churches, coops and farm supply stores are such popular places during difficult times.
Avoid Unhealthy
De-Stress Methods
One of the unfortunate consequences of too much stress is an
increased risk of drug, alcohol, or tobacco use and abuse. These substances
alter our perceptions in the short term and often make challenging problems
worse in the longer term. Drugs and alcohol abuse contributes to many farm and
roadway accidents, and it can also damage our most precious relationships.
If you are concerned about drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and your
health and personal safety or the health safety of a loved one, support and
assistance are available. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.
Talk, Talk, Talk
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| Strong relationships and family bonds allow for healthy coping. Photo credit: HTeam/Shutterstock.com |
It's vital to solicit aid and advice from others in our
community who are willing to help. Friends, extended family, church members,
and others in the community can often provide needed support. No matter who we
talk to, vocalizing our concerns helps alleviate some of the confusion and tensions that can compound feelings of stress.
Learn about the
Agricultural Industry
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| Agriculture is growing increasingly complex. Take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow. Photo credit: Nejron Photo/Shutterstock.com |
As an industry, agriculture is becoming increasingly
complex. Reports about biotech, big data, precision farming, complex marketing
strategies, a changing trade environment, and the latest changes in farm programs and tax policy are now
commonplace in most major farm news outlets, which is why we should learn as
much as we can. Successful operators have a handle on the latest and most
effective production and finance-related practices and can take advantage of
the latest technological developments.
We're never too old to learn, and there are many informal education opportunities through local extension offices, universities, tech colleges,
university research stations, or private sources such as crop consultants and
sales reps.
Self-education requires time and commitment, but it lowers
stress by providing us with a mental roadmap that directs planning and decision
making. Successful producers who participate in educational opportunities feel
less stressed as a result. Education builds confidence, and attending a class
or an informal workshop series might open doors to new or supplementary
business and financial opportunities.
Of all the resources we have to work with—including
land, animals, cash, fertilizer, seed, and machinery—our minds are our
most valuable asset.
Plan to Clarify
Long-Term Goals
Although we might dislike record keeping, paperwork, and
planning, well-maintained records and evidence of a long-term plan are required by lenders and others who allocate resources. Thorough planning
requires an objective examination of current resources and future goals. This
sometimes onerous process of planning, goal setting, and record keeping can be
facilitated with the advice of accountants, attorneys, Extension educators,
farm management specialists, state/local agencies and lenders.
Like education, the process of farm planning provides a
roadmap that reduces confusion and ambiguity and thus reduces stress. These positive actions enhance the
functioning and structure of our brain and actions create positive cycles of
change and growth.
Plan for Family Time
& Check-Ins
Have you ever missed a special family event like a
parent-teacher conference or family reunion because you were overwhelmed with
work around the farm? Many of us have. While it might be unrealistic to shut
down a complex operation for a couple hours to go talk to our kid's teacher, we
often miss family events because we don’t plan,
which results in feelings of guilt, anger, regret, and loss. By setting aside a
few minutes each month to record important dates, events, and meetings, we can
prioritize our schedules to prevent ourselves from missing out on important
moments. If conflicts arise, communication within the family will help everyone
understand current deadlines and priorities, especially when schedules become
hectic. This kind of communication establishes a team spirit and ensures key
tasks around the home and farm will be managed rather than dropped through the
cracks.
Help Yourself (or
Others) during Stressful Periods
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| Many resources exist to help farmers and family members in difficult times. Photo credit: Phovoir/Shutterstock.com |
Because of the high stress levels in farm communities, people
who work in agriculture experience higher reported rates of depression and
suicide. The following checklist provided by the National Institute of Mental
Health lists some common symptoms depression.
To help decide whether you or people you care about need
support and treatment for depression, please review this checklist and mark the
symptoms that apply. If you experience any of these symptoms for longer than
two weeks, if you feel suicidal, or if the symptoms are severe enough to
interfere with your daily life, see your family doctor and bring this list with
you. As a first step, your doctor or another health professional may recommend
a thorough examination to rule out other illnesses.
Symptoms of Clinical
Depression:
✓
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
✓
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
✓
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
✓
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and
activities
✓
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
✓
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making
decisions
✓
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or
oversleeping
✓
Appetite and/or weight changes
✓
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
✓
Restlessness, irritability
✓
Persistent physical symptoms
There are resources on suicide and suicide prevention that
vary from state to state and across communities. If you’re thinking about suicide, worried
about a friend or loved one, or would like support, a Lifeline network is
available 24/7 across the United States.
It is free of charge and confidential.
Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
What About the
Terrible Stress of Having to Quit Farming?
Change of any type can be a major stressor, but people who
face the possibility of retiring from or leaving farming often report experiencing
tremendous guilt and shame caused by feeling forced to abandon a legacy. These
feelings are normal, and they are part of the grieving process any person goes
through when they lose something or someone they love.
Remember that many of the structural and economic factors that drive changes in production agriculture are beyond our control. If you are
struggling to keep pace with these changes, request support, expertise, and
assistance from qualified professionals.
The choice of whether or not to leave farming is almost always one of the most
complicated and emotional ones that many farmers and their families will make
in their lifetimes, but help is available—Do ask!
Top Ten Farm Safety Tips
- Buy a rollover protective structure (ROPS) for older tractors. If an approved ROPS is not available, avoid using that tractor for work or consider trading or selling it through a local dealer.
- Replace all missing power take-off and rotating equipment shields. Shut off power equipment before leaving the operator's station.
- Check that lights, flashers, and reflectors on machines work properly. Always use them when traveling on roadways.
- Replace “slow moving vehicle” emblems that aren’t clean and bright.
- Prepare farm machinery before the busy season. A well-maintained machine will operate more efficiently and reduce the chance of an injury.
- Use proper equipment and procedures when hitching and unhitching implements.
- Never enter a manure pit, grain bin, or silo without following confined space entry procedures. The gases and materials in these structures kill farmers each year.
- Ensure that all workers receive specific instructions on their tasks and the machines they are operating in a language they are familiar with. Be sure they read and understand all operational procedures in the owner's manual.
- Take the time to learn basic first aid, CPR, and emergency response.
- Do not assign jobs to children unless they are physically, mentally, and legally ready to perform the job safely, follow directions, and can respond to unexpected situations, which may mean waiting until kids are at least 16 years of age.
Photos in this article are used under a paid license from Shutterstock.com and must not be copied or used in formats other than in this article.
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