Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 03:10 PM
Once the farmer had a seemingly less stressful life than an urban worker. Now the economy and other factors have reversed the situation. Farmers are receiving help from state and local organizations in understanding stress and receiving help in seeking solutions to their problems.
The United States Department of Agriculture in December 1984 reported that as many as 243,000 American farms could be considered in serious financial trouble; i.e., they owe almost as much as they own, and for 145,000 more operators, the situation was even worse.
Randy Weigel at Iowa State University developed a schedule of stressors in the farming industry. At the top of his list he put machinery breakdown with the stress rating of 123.
Other high stress occurrences are:
• Loss of valuable animals.
• High debt load.
• Production loss because of diseases and insects.
• Weather related delays.
• Dealing with government regulations.
Several practical suggestions to farms to help them deal more effectively with their stress are as follows:
• Try to do the best you can to deal with the given problems. After you have done all you can, attempt to move on to something else where you can effect some change and improve the situation. Remember that going over and over the same thing and butting your head against the wall accomplishes nothing.
• Try not to tie your personal sense of accomplishment to the business you are in. Look for other signs of success in your life – positive aspects of your family, personal achievements in civic or church activities, help you have given to others in worse straits than you are in.
• Strengthen your support system by spending as much time as possible with family and friends.
• Don’t’ let your life be ruled by “shoulds” or “coulds” or “I must” and “I have to.”
• Stay in good physical shape and continue to exercise on a regular basis. It has been medically proven that this will increase your feeling of self control.
• Do not hesitate to seek help a solution to any stressor.
• Remember that your situation is somewhat unique. It is hard for anyone who has not owned land and made his living as something directly tied to his forefathers to understand how emotionally involved landowners are. When possible, try to keep this from becoming the key factor in your future and decision making.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985
The United States Department of Agriculture in December 1984 reported that as many as 243,000 American farms could be considered in serious financial trouble; i.e., they owe almost as much as they own, and for 145,000 more operators, the situation was even worse.
Randy Weigel at Iowa State University developed a schedule of stressors in the farming industry. At the top of his list he put machinery breakdown with the stress rating of 123.
Other high stress occurrences are:
• Loss of valuable animals.
• High debt load.
• Production loss because of diseases and insects.
• Weather related delays.
• Dealing with government regulations.
Several practical suggestions to farms to help them deal more effectively with their stress are as follows:
• Try to do the best you can to deal with the given problems. After you have done all you can, attempt to move on to something else where you can effect some change and improve the situation. Remember that going over and over the same thing and butting your head against the wall accomplishes nothing.
• Try not to tie your personal sense of accomplishment to the business you are in. Look for other signs of success in your life – positive aspects of your family, personal achievements in civic or church activities, help you have given to others in worse straits than you are in.
• Strengthen your support system by spending as much time as possible with family and friends.
• Don’t’ let your life be ruled by “shoulds” or “coulds” or “I must” and “I have to.”
• Stay in good physical shape and continue to exercise on a regular basis. It has been medically proven that this will increase your feeling of self control.
• Do not hesitate to seek help a solution to any stressor.
• Remember that your situation is somewhat unique. It is hard for anyone who has not owned land and made his living as something directly tied to his forefathers to understand how emotionally involved landowners are. When possible, try to keep this from becoming the key factor in your future and decision making.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985