Farming is a high-stress profession that sees many participants shouldering heavy loads of worry and anxiety that can lead to burnout.
Author and mental health advocate Dr. Jessica Metcalfe says it’s important for farmers and ranchers to recognize these conditions and take proactive steps to ensure the weight of agriculture doesn’t overwhelm their business and personal lives.
On this episode of Mind Your Farm Business, Metcalfe explains the importance of distinguishing between stress, worry, anxiety, and burnout. She notes that stress is a physical response, including increased heart rate and sweating; worry is identified as a psychological component, often leading to “catastrophizing” or thinking the worst-case scenario; while anxiety is defined as the combination of stress and worry that can lead to mental health concerns or physical ailments.
Metcalfe explains the burnout is different from these conditions and has been described by the World Health Organization as a blunted state of helplessness and hopelessness that is not just a workplace phenomenon but can extend to caregiver and parental contexts.
Evidence of burnout is typically displayed by exhaustion and loss of energy that can lead to chronic fatigue. People also become more cynical and irritable and lose confidence in themselves. In the discussion, Metcalfe and host Shaun Haney discuss the importance of taking burnout seriously and not misidentifying it as just being tired.
The conversation touches on the misconception that everyone has the same capacity for stress and the need to recognize individual differences. Metcalfe discusses the early warning signs of burnout and the importance of self-reflection and recognizing when to take breaks to avoid it.
Metcalfe and Haney look at the role of social media and why it’s important to avoid comparing yourself to others. They also discuss how personality traits can impact susceptibility to the condition and share practical advice for managing stress and burnout.
Disclaimer: Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries are not responsible for the information provided in this podcast, and this information does not necessarily reflect the views of Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries.
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