By Elizabeth Sipple, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Are you concerned about behavioral, emotional, or physical changes that you have seen in a neighbor or family member?
Spring is a good time to check-in with your wellbeing. Spring arrives on the farm with a bunch of exciting work, and also stress! Agriculture is an economic and social bedrock of Vermont. You are providers – feeding your community and caring for your land. There is so much to love about farm life, but working on a farm, owning a farm, and being part of a farm family are not easy. For decades, farmers, family members, and farmworkers have endured growing challenges that increase their levels of stress.
Stress can impact one’s physical, emotional, and behavioral health. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of stress, as stress is not always obvious, particularly if you have become habituated to it. Any significant changes in how you experience emotions, behave, or feel physically can be a clue that stress may be adversely impacting you. The symptoms of stress are different for everyone, but here are some common ones:
Physical: Headaches, stomach issues, increased blood pressure, clenched jaw, muscle tension, sudden perspiration, rapid heartbeat, and back pain
Emotional: Impatience, frustration, depression, difficulty controlling emotions, anxiousness, anger, and difficulty with change
Behavioral: Increased use of alcohol or recreational drugs, misuse of prescription medication, yelling more, lack of communication, physically harming others, difficulty relaxing, and sleep issues
Are you experiencing any of the above? Are you concerned about changes that you have seen in a neighbor or family member? If you want to explore what can be done about stress, please contact Farm First. It is possible to manage and even reduce stress.
Farm First is a Vermont -based program focused on providing farmers and their families, with FREE support, resources, and information to reduce stress. You can reach Farm First at:
Call: (802) 318-5538 during daytime work hours
Call: 877-493-6216 outside of daytime work hours
Email: Karen Crowley at karenc@farmfirst.org