Business-Related Actions:

Slow down, be planful, and purposeful

How often do you start your workday just plowing right into things without a plan? Eight or 10 hours later, you may end your day wondering what you accomplished or feeling like you have even more to do than when you started. Research suggests that spending a few minutes to slow down, focus and set some specific goals is a powerful way to reduce stress. Many people do this with a checklist. Others pick one or two priorities to focus on that day, or in the coming week, and think through how to get that goal accomplished, the resources that will be needed to be successful, and who else you might engage for help, advice or support.

Seek out opportunities to talk, share and solve problems together

In agribusiness, jobs and tasks are often done alone or in isolated locations. Having the opportunity to communicate, however, can be helpful when it comes to stress. Sharing what you’re experiencing with teammates or coworkers can help put things into perspective or help you identify ways to share the load and reduce your stressors. Team meetings and check-ins can be helpful for people to share ideas and solve problems together. Even a 10-minute check-in periodically through the week can be good for your mental health.

Recognize stress impacts on communication, critical conversations

Have you ever had a conversation late in the day when you feel exhausted or super-stressed, and then days later you realize that what you said was harmful to others (family members, co-workers, employees)? Remember that the stress chemicals make communication and decision making difficult “in the moment.” If you are feeling overly frustrated, angry or agitated, try to put some time between your feelings and that next conversation. Even sitting down for lunch, going for a quick walk, or “sleeping on it” will make a difference. Simply knowing that your perspective might be clouded by stress can help.