An Open Letter to Farmers: You Matter as Much as Your Farm
Oct 12, 2026
By Chelsea O'Brien, Marketing Communications Manager, Superior Ag
Think about the last seven days. How many days did you feel stressed? Certainly, some stress is to be expected in a physically and mentally demanding industry such as agriculture. But while stress is a normal part of life, sustained stress can damage both our physical and mental health. It’s important to learn techniques that reduce stress in our body and mind.
According to Mayo Clinic, stressors force our bodies into the fight-or-flight response. When our stress response system stays activated for too long, prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline disrupt the body’s processes, putting us at risk for a number of symptoms: muscle tension, digestive issues, sleep and memory issues, high blood pressure, heart attacks, anxiety, depression, and many more.
Over my 15-year career, I have had the opportunity to talk with a lot of farmers. One of the first things they say is, “How am I supposed to find time to care for myself – physically or mentally – when I barely have time to keep up with my farm responsibilities?” As a working mother of two, I resonate deeply with that sentiment. It’s hard. You can’t do it all – as much as we were raised to believe that we can. It’s not that we lack mental toughness or resilience. Our bodies simply weren’t designed to handle so many internal and external stressors for sustained periods.
We can, however, take advantage of stress management tips and mental exercises to help us learn to approach stress in a more healthful way. You don't have to overhaul your life. Small steps can make a big difference. You can begin with one conversation, one walk, one night of better sleep, one task you can delegate, or one moment to simply take a breath and acknowledge that you're carrying a lot.
There are many excellent resources out there to help, including FarmStateofMind.org from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Purdue Farm Stress Team, Mind Your Melon, Togetherall, the Indiana Rural Health Association, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or even just talking to a friend or family member. Whatever small step feels possible today, I hope you’ll take it.
Because you matter as much as your farm.
Think about the last seven days. How many days did you feel stressed? Certainly, some stress is to be expected in a physically and mentally demanding industry such as agriculture. But while stress is a normal part of life, sustained stress can damage both our physical and mental health. It’s important to learn techniques that reduce stress in our body and mind.
According to Mayo Clinic, stressors force our bodies into the fight-or-flight response. When our stress response system stays activated for too long, prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline disrupt the body’s processes, putting us at risk for a number of symptoms: muscle tension, digestive issues, sleep and memory issues, high blood pressure, heart attacks, anxiety, depression, and many more.
Over my 15-year career, I have had the opportunity to talk with a lot of farmers. One of the first things they say is, “How am I supposed to find time to care for myself – physically or mentally – when I barely have time to keep up with my farm responsibilities?” As a working mother of two, I resonate deeply with that sentiment. It’s hard. You can’t do it all – as much as we were raised to believe that we can. It’s not that we lack mental toughness or resilience. Our bodies simply weren’t designed to handle so many internal and external stressors for sustained periods.
We can, however, take advantage of stress management tips and mental exercises to help us learn to approach stress in a more healthful way. You don't have to overhaul your life. Small steps can make a big difference. You can begin with one conversation, one walk, one night of better sleep, one task you can delegate, or one moment to simply take a breath and acknowledge that you're carrying a lot.
There are many excellent resources out there to help, including FarmStateofMind.org from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Purdue Farm Stress Team, Mind Your Melon, Togetherall, the Indiana Rural Health Association, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or even just talking to a friend or family member. Whatever small step feels possible today, I hope you’ll take it.
Because you matter as much as your farm.