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Managing Stress

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A family walks away from the camera through tall yellow grass toward an unpainted barn. Two kids are near the barn; parents and another child are closer.
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Farming and ranching are stressful - adverse weather, disease, regulations, volatile commodity prices, family dynamics, and financial worries are constant. These resources can help you manage that stress.

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Constant stress can build and eventually take a heavy toll on your outlook.

Farmers and ranchers are unique business owners. Not only are they self-employed, there is often no separation between home and work. Failure affects not only your business but your whole lifestyle.

If you find yourself or someone you know beginning to exhibit unusual behavior such as lack of focus/motivation, uncharacteristic anger, or alcohol abuse, it may be time to evaluate stress levels and the overall farm/ranch situation. If you feel or see a problem please do not ignore it. NDSU Extension has resources that address the many areas of stress.

People often don’t get the help they need simply because they don’t know where to begin. If you are dealing with thoughts of depression or anxiety talk to your primary care physician and ask about available mental health services. If you don’t have a doctor, here are some resources you can use and services you can reach out to.

If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by dialing 9-1-1.

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Publications
Suicide in agriculture - we need to talk about it. We take care of our equipment. We also need to take even better care of ourselves and others. Sometimes you need help, and sometimes you are the help. Helpful resources are available.
Working in agriculture brings its own set of unique experiences and stresses. Having a process that you can use in managing the pressures that impact your family, your farming operation, and your life in general is helpful. This…
Build a strong support system for you and your family in farming. Use this document to list all of the family members, friends and neighbors you can call on to assist you with a farming need or give support with a particular concern. Next…
Learn effective strategies to manage stress and improve overall well-being through healthy lifestyle habits such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and quality sleep. Keywords include: stress management, healthy lifestyle, coping…
Cómo reconocer las señales de estrés en personas angustiadas y cómo desarrollar un plan de acción A veces necesita ayuda. A veces usted es quien brinda ayuda.Usted quiere ayudar. Como amigo, profesional, familiar o miembro de la comunidad…
Sometimes you need help. Sometimes you are help. This flow chart outlines the process of responding to distressed people.
Staying well includes multiple dimensions of well-being. Well-being is the presence of positive emotions and moods, the absence of negative emotions, satisfaction with life, fulfillment and positive functioning. The eight dimensions of…
Working together under pressure, shifting roles, and holding down more than one job add up to one thing – high stress levels for farm or ranch couples. However, by being thoughtful, communicating clearly and relaxing together, a husband…
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CONTACT US

Sean Brotherson, Professor/Family Science Specialist

Adriana Drusini, Extension Program Coordinator – Farm and Ranch Stress