COUNTRY LIVING: YOUR ANTI-STRESS SKILLBOX CHANGING CLIMATE, CONFLICTING FAMILY SCHEDULES, ACRES OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, HEALTHY LIVING, MILES OF SNOW COVERED ROADS…A COUNTRY LIFESTYLE COMES WITH SOME UNIQUE STRESSORS AMID THE OPEN SPACE GRANDEUR. Rural homeowners must balance caring for their property with the needs and desires of the family, all while remaining financially agile to react to the unpredictability of the country. Your country home is your oasis of personal space. The outside stressors can become personal, too. Developing a skillbox to resist everyday stress is one of the most important (and overlooked) tools homeowners can use to safeguard their own health while embracing country living challenges. What is in your anti-stress skillbox? Largely, it is the conscious ability to control personal responses to negative actions by outside influences. Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University Extension Service family science specialist, identifies three areas people can control: 1. Your attitudes and mindset: Set realistic goals and expectations daily; dwell on turning current challenges into opportunities. 2. The way you respond to stress: Create a work/life balance and incorporate regular fitness activities, relaxation or meditation. Cultivate a friend to talk to, or seek professional support. 3. Events occurring within your setting: Reduce the “pile-up” of stressful events by planning and scheduling ahead, setting priorities, simplifying life, and defaulting to a sense of humor (versus irritation) when things go wrong. Focusing on influencing just these three areas can help bring relief through re-patterning mental and physical responses to stressful circumstances and by placing a measure of control back into your own hands. The areas actively support healthy attitudes and resilient responses to negative situations. As Larry Tranel, psychologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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The tools in an anti-stress skillbox may help you and your family roll with seasonal weather or family events while protecting your long-term appreciation for country living. Dealing with chronic stress may mean reaching out for professional help for depression or anxiety. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers immediate emotional support. The call is free, confidential and available 24/7 across the USA. “Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life.” Call 1-800-273-8255 or Text “CONNECT” to 741741 ■ Sources: https://ucanr.edu/sites/placernevadasmallfarms/files/135674.pdf www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/articles/others/TraApr19.html
COUNTRY LIVING – OPEN FIELDS BLOG BRIEF
GreenStone publishes regular updates on our Open Fields blog about current events, community engagement, tips for country living homeowners, advice on financing your own outdoor retreat and more. Check out some of the posts you may have missed at www. greenstonefcs.com.
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points out, resiliency can be a learned life skill. “Stress can weaken a person’s spirit, appetite, physical stamina, focus, relationships, decision-making ability, and dampen happiness and satisfaction in time.” He adds, “life skills can help deal with it.”
on what you can do to improve your financial situation and get approved. 5 Things to Know Before Buying Vacant Land Regardless of whether you are looking to purchase a piece of land to build on, hunt or use as recreational property with the family, there are some things you should consider before buying.
How to Make a “NO” a “YES”
Shade of Lavender Farm: Where Peace and Beauty Flourish
Being turned down for financing can be disappointing. Fortunately, the answer no doesn’t have to mean you will never get approved, just not right now. GreenStone employees offer tips
After purchasing their home and 10 more acres than they had use for, Janene Rawlinson decided find a way the extra land could work for her and her husband. After a little research, optimistic
Fall 2019 — Partners
perseverance and 1,200 lavender plants, Janene quit her full-time job and is now a lavender farm and shop proprietor. Inspiring Agriculture at the IQhub What began as a museum dedicated to displaying antique tractors, Troy and Jill Bancroft, owners of AgroLiquid in St. Johns, Michigan, saw as opportunity to provide agricultural education to the community and bridge the gap between producers and consumers. With this vision in mind, the IQhub, was created and now provides free, fun learning to schools, families and the public about agriculture. ■