Small Bites – Practical Tips for Farm Resiliency – Schedules Can Help
Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm families.
Routines and schedules can ease stress. When there is uncertainty all around, it can be very useful to put a bit more attention to daily and weekly routines on the farm. Brain research tells us that when we have a plan, a schedule, our nervous systems are more at ease. Personally, you can prioritize wellness practices that support your nervous system. For example, working on a project, practicing meditation or yoga, walking, exercising, shooting some hoops, talking with a friend, or therapist. Relationally, you can tune into the people you live with and schedule time to connect. For example, a game night, weekly bike ride, picnic night, fireside night, early morning bird walk, coffee time conversation about how you’re coping. Professionally, prioritizing daily and weekly meetings becomes more critical than ever. Making sure everyone knows the flow of the day at the start of the day can really ease manager strain. Simple things like trying to take lunch break at a predictable time each day, instituting a paid 15 minute break each morning, picking up donuts on Friday mornings or listening to the same radio program each week while you pack CSA shares. Routines are powerful. Here’s a sample farm schedule. Want to learn more about farm coaching?