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Farm and Rural Stress
Rural living and in particular farming has undergone many changes over the past decade. Weather, pests, volatile markets, global influences, and the effects of rural de-population are just some of the unique challenges facing farm and rural families today. Many of these issues are long-lasting and beyond our control, creating high levels of stress.
Rural stress is a community problem that touches everyone whose life, livelihood and identity is linked to the land and agriculture. Understanding how you respond to stressful events is the first step to managing stress.
Signs and Symptoms of Stress
Stress is a normal human reaction to events that we perceive as challenges or threats. Stress can be either positive or negative. Positive or "good stress" helps us to overcome daily challenges and accomplish things we thought were impossible. For example, the firefighter rescuing someone from a burning building, the student writing a difficult exam, or the farmer harvesting before the snow flies are all examples of people operating under good stress or "eustress". However, when a difficult situation goes on a long time, seems to be beyond your control, and/or is not successfully resolved it can result in bad stress or "distress".
People experience stress is a variety of ways. Sometimes people respond by isolating themselves and or by trying to ignore the effect that the stress is having on them or the people around them. Other people become angry with others or take all the blame upon themselves.
Here are a few signs of stress:
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Physical
- Elevated blood pressure
- Headaches, aching neck and shoulders,backache
- Sleep pattern disturbed (difficulty sleeping,or sleeping too much)
- Weight change (Over-eating or no appetite)
- Chronic fatigue
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Emotional
- Depression
- Irritability, mood swings
- Angry outbursts
- Feeling uncertain / overwhelmed
- Loss of emotional control
- Helplessness/hopelessness
- Suicidal ideation
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Cognitive
- Impaired concentration
- Forgetfulness and confusion
- Difficulty making decisions
- Negative self-talk
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Behavioral
- Loss of interest in work / social activities
- Increased drinking, smoking, drug use
- Withdrawal from friends, family
- Sexual problems
- Parent-child and marital conflicts
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Spiritual
- Challenge of faith
- Emptiness
- Loss of meaning
- Doubt
- Loss of direction
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