Wellness is a goal that is shared by individuals from all walks of life. To live a long and happy life, it is necessary to balance healthy objectives with your career, family, social calendar, and other responsibilities. Otherwise, you may end up spending your whole life running the race without actually slowing down to enjoy it.
In many cases, your pursuit of health can be dramatically affected by your lifestyle, specifically your career. The more demanding and time-consuming your job is, the less time you will have to dedicate to wellness. This is especially true in the agricultural industry. Farmers have incredibly demanding jobs that often require very long hours every day and little to no vacation time. They play an important role in feeding the population, but it can be a grueling task.
If you are a farmer, your wellness matters as much as anyone’s. To be able to complete your daily tasks and have the energy to do so, investing in your health is crucial. Though it may be difficult to commit what little spare time you have to new behaviors that foster well-being, there are plenty of ways that you can invest in self-care without a big sacrifice of your time or energy.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
The toils of farm life can take a massive toll on your body. It is likely draining you of fluids and energy with the amount of hard labor that you do every day. Replenishing your body’s water is crucial to flush out the toxins that build up in your cells when they have to work extra hard, and as a farmer, that certainly applies to you. It is also necessary to keep you hydrated, and since 70% of the body is made out of water, you will need to keep up with fluid loss for your day. The recommended amount of water per day is half an ounce to an ounce per pound of body weight. The intensity of your day probably means that you should be drinking an amount that is closer to the higher end of that spectrum.
Never Neglect Safety
When you work in the same field for a long time, it can be normal to start taking shortcuts during the work day. The same is true in the agricultural industry. If you have spent years in the same rhythms, safety practices could slip to the back of your mind, and with all the heavy machinery that is involved with farm life, this could be risky behavior. Health and safety in the workplace is all about mitigating risk with proper procedures and intensive training. For farmers, there is a lot of assumed risk due to the equipment you use, the nature of the job, and the long hours that it requires. To protect yourself, your family, and your employees from injury, make sure that you continue to emphasize safe behaviors and never neglect your physical health by taking dangerous shortcuts on the job.
Stay Informed on Herbicide/Pesticide Use
Many farmers employ the use of herbicides and pesticides to protect their crops and livestock from harmful organisms. This also can ensure the long-term quality of their products and a substantial harvesting season. But research into the use of these resources is constantly being updated, and you could be harming either yourself or your product if you are using the wrong materials. For example, a widely used herbicide called paraquat was found to be causing Parkinson’s disease in farmers, but for decades nobody knew about it. If you have suffered consequences from this herbicide, you may have grounds for a Paraquat lawsuit, in which case you should contact the Rosenfield injury lawyers. By doing your own research and staying up to date with what herbicides/pesticides are safe, you are investing in your health, the health of other employees, and the condition of your products.
Eat Healthily
The body’s cells require the right nutrients to function. When you engage in intense physical activity, this demand for nutrition goes up. For someone who works long hours at a farm, your nutrient levels must be maintained to give you the energy you need to keep going. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy products can achieve the vitamin and mineral levels necessary for cells to carry out their functions. If you neglect a certain food group, parts of your body may not function at full capacity, hampering your ability to be successful and maintain longevity.
Make Wellness a Top Priority
With such a busy schedule, often waking up when it is still pitch black in the mornings and going to bed late, health can take a backseat in your life as a farmer. But the more you neglect your well-being, the harder it may become to do your job and live a happy life at the same time. Focus on drinking plenty of fluids and eating a nutrient-rich diet so that your body can handle the rigors of the day. Know what herbicides and pesticides will not damage your health when you use them and never neglect safety for yourself or your employees while working. If you follow these steps, you will have invested in your health and be positioned to thrive in your life on the farm.
