The Rural Voice, 2006-06, Page 35seem to band together, neighbours
can sometimes be isolated from each
other. He also emphasized that many
farmers are unwilling to talk about
their problems. "The agricultural
tradition has been a verbal one,"
Field says, "but farmers suffer
silently."
Since external factors are the main
causes of rural stress, it is important
that farmers acknowledge that some
things are out of their control.
Knowing that it will be an inevitable
part of their lives, the key for farmer
is to keep stress at a comfortable
level. "Stress is like a rain barrel:
One more drop can make it all spill
over," suggests Dr. Jack Russel, a
psychotherapist at the University of
Western Ontario.
Dr Russel's advice for stress
management is to put in place
boundaries and limits to
ensure time for non -farming related
activities. For example, he suggests
farmers promise themselves that after
a certain time of day they won't go to
the barn or do chores.
While Dr. Russel acknowledges
that limits can be difficult to enforce
during busy seasons, he emphasizes
that there will always be room for
some exceptions. "I refuse to worry
about the work I didn't get done
today — it'll be there waiting for me
tomorrow," insists one Canadian
farmer quoted in The Human
Harvest.
Professionals like Dr. Russel
agree that it is ultimately up to the
stressed farmer or family member to
take the initiative to change his or her
life. For those not willing to talk, Dr.
Russel has some practical advice.
"Farmers should think that maybe
they might be a better person for their
family if they get some help." Dr.
Russel's advice isvaluable as one
family member's preoccupation with
stress can cause greater tensions
within the family and disrupt the
whole farm operation.
Aside from the all the stress, many
farmers continue to work in such a
stressful occupation because they
ultimately love their job. If farmers
remind themselves why they farm, it
is often enough to get them through
the seasons of despair to see the hope
that lies in the future. "The man that
I met loved farming, it was his life,
he loved his animals, and he loved
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