Stress Must be Managed During Seeding

REGINA - May 13/02 - SNS -- Stress levels during seeding can be as great as during the harvest, creating a need for producers to recognize when their stress levels are getting too high and develop strategies to manage them, says Ken Imhoff, manager of the Farm Stress Unit, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization.

"Depending on the year, seeding can be just as stressful as harvest," he says. "You're spending long hours putting in the crop, and something goes wrong. Or you've already put in a long day, maybe even come home from your day job to start seeding, and there's a breakdown. You may be wondering how to make ends meet or whether financial commitments can be met and, while seeding, you're tuned out.

"That's stress. Stress is very simply our reactions to the pressures we are under. We react by getting angry, frustrated or tuning out. We may lash out and maybe even throw a wrench. Some may say our behaviors in these circumstances are inappropriate but, whether we act out of frustration or we tune out, we can realistically say that it will happen."

Imhoff says it is unrealistic to recommend shorter work hours during a busy season. It may also be unrealistic to suggest that anger or frustration won't happen at some point during seeding. But keeping in mind several helpful hints may make a difference, he says.

Because these hints are simple and based on common sense, they are often forgotten: for example, take meal breaks. Just the process of the change in activity can lessen risks to personal safety.

Imhoff says occasionally switching jobs with a spouse or others can reduce the fatigue that results from long hours of driving back and forth on a field. Taking a break from the tractor every couple of hours helps too.

"Do something physical: tossing some rocks off the field or getting that tree out of the way is invigorating. And listen to your spouse. If he or she observes that you are not doing well - that you're angry and frustrated - consider those words and take corrective steps."

Reactions to stress can lead to injuries, lost time or a bigger repair bill. On the other hand, being in touch with what is causing the reaction - "knowing what sets us off and knowing our stress triggers" - rather than reacting, can save both time and money. It can also reduce the potential for serious injury, says Imhoff.