Eight ways to look after your mental health

A simple phone call or quick regular chat can help both you and your neighbour.

By talking about pressures and stresses of farming life with someone who has similar experiences can help provide support and reduce loneliness.

Organisations such as local vets, polices, NFU, commodity groups, Farming Community Network etc., often put on events for communities. These events give an easy opportunity for communities to gather.

This again can help reduce loneliness and pressures of farming.

While agriculture is predominantly active and out of doors, it is still important to make sure you keep active at times of the year when paperwork takes priority.

Taking a regular walk outside can improve your levels of Vitamin D and endorphins, both important for improving mental health.

Eating right and taking care of your physical health can help to improve your mental wellbeing.

Processed foods may contribute to poor mental wellbeing, whereas foods that are nutritious and high in essential minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin D may help to improve mental wellbeing.

Often the stresses and pressures of farming and life can build up, and when they do build, they can cloud our mind and take focus away from other important things.

By writing concerns down it can help you process things on your mind and help maintain balance between those important things.

As farmers, time is often a resource that is not in abundance. At various times of the year such as calving, lambing, harvest etc., sleep can often be compromised in when farming takes priority.

Lack of sleep can affect our ability to process thoughts, emotions, actions etc., and therefore can have a significant impact on mental health.

As a farmer’s home is often located on the farm, this can make it hard to separate farm work from home life.

Taking time out away from the farm, even if it is just for an hour or two, may help reduce stress by getting away from the environment that may be causing the stress, even indirectly.

Taking up a sport could be a good option, as it allows time away from the farm for training sessions and matches, as well as socialising with people, and providing some physical activity that may help to increase endorphins and subsequently improve mental wellbeing.

Taking up a hobby or activity separate to your work can help you unwind and take focus away from stresses and pressures of life, giving something to look forward to each day.

It can also be a good way to become part of a community.

There is a wide variety of local and national support groups.

For further information, visit: Find wellbeing support in your area | NFUonline

If your mental health has been affected by financial issues, please access PayPlan - our free debt advice service.