{"id":48657,"date":"2022-09-27T10:57:58","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T21:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/?p=48657"},"modified":"2022-09-27T12:29:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T23:29:57","slug":"treat-yourself-as-your-farms-greatest-asset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/people\/treat-yourself-as-your-farms-greatest-asset\/","title":{"rendered":"Treat yourself as your farm\u2019s greatest asset"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week runs from September 26 to October 2, and the theme is \u2018Reconnect – with the people and places that lift you up\u2019.  Over the course of the week, Farmers Weekly will be sharing a series of articles to align with this theme,  to enhance your wellbeing \u2013 hei pikinga waiora.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognise the signs <\/strong>
It\u2019s important to recognise when you are under the pump so you can do something about it. We all have only so much coping space and when we have multiple things coming at us, that gets squeezed. This shows in different ways for different people. Some people become irritable. Others go silent and withdraw. What are your tell-tale signs? The Farmstrong \u201cUnder the Pump\u201d checklist is a good place to find out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritise workload<\/strong>
There\u2019s always a to-do list as long as your arm on a farm. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to prioritise your work especially during busy times. What are the top two or three tasks you need to work on today? Once you\u2019re feeling back in charge of your schedule, your stress levels will go down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look after the basics<\/strong>
When we\u2019re really busy, the things that go out the window are often the things that keep us well and help us cope. So make sure you eat well, get enough quality sleep, keep active and do the hobbies or activities you enjoy. Anything that boosts your mood and energy levels will help you manage busier periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule recovery time <\/strong>
I embrace pressure as part of my job, but when I get the opportunity, I also step away from it and make sure I recharge. That\u2019s because I\u2019ve learnt that no one can just go hammer-down the whole time, and you need to step away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I head home into a different world after rugby so I make sure I\u2019m not just focusing on one thing. If you\u2019re only thinking about rugby or farming all day, every day, of course it will start to get on top of you. So it\u2019s important to do something else, whether it\u2019s with your family or a hobby or catching up with mates outside the industry. Something different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your current workload won\u2019t allow that, build mini breaks into your day. Even a 15-minute break to \u201creset\u201d mentally and physically can make a big difference to how you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep perspective<\/strong>
Many people only know me as a rugby player and rugby is a big part of my life, but the reality is I also have other things going on in my life, so when a setback happens on the field, I don\u2019t let that define who I am as a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, losing a rugby game still hurts but I tell myself I\u2019m still a father, a husband, a son with a great family. That\u2019s the most important thing. Sometimes you\u2019ve just got to accept your setbacks and move on. Remember, a setback also offers an opportunity to learn and do better next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a natter<\/strong>
I know through the work I do for Farmstrong how important it is to keep talking and check on those who might have dropped off the radar and stopped communicating during challenging times. Just listening can be a huge help to someone who is feeling under the pump. So if you see someone struggling, start that conversation, ask them how they\u2019re going and make time for a proper catch-up, whether it\u2019s over a coffee or at the pub. Visit the Farmstrong website to brush up on your listening skills beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make your wellbeing a priority <\/strong>
Treat yourself and your team as your farm\u2019s biggest asset. Make wellbeing a business priority and invest in the simple habits that make people more resilient \u2013 connecting with mates, learning new things, keeping active, enjoying simple pleasures and helping friends and community. Visit the Farmstrong website <\/a>to see what other farmers are doing and lock in whatever works for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:
RURAL SUPPORT TRUST: 0800 RURAL HELP
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock passes on insights about how to take care of yourself.\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":48658,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[25,129,102],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t