The unhelpful term “work/life balance” and trying to maintain it, is an evergreen issue in agriculture. During busy times, or times when we are short on labour or taking care of others, it can be important to address not just “work/life balance,” but burnout too. In 2020, I wrote an article titled “6 tips to Avoid Burnout on the Farm,” a topic that is worth revisiting.

In this blog, I will highlight a few items from that article as well as some additional tips to manage burnout.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and overworked in your current circumstances, consider these ideas and implement necessary adjustments in how you invest your time and energy.

#1 – Time: Your Most Valuable Asset

How do you structure your time? Whether you prefer pen and paper, digital notes, or a calendar app, the key is to find a system that works for you. I often use a timer for focused, 25-minute work blocks to kickstart projects with limited time. Our son, who farms, relies on a large whiteboard for planning. The crucial element is to intentionally block out time for what truly matters.

Dr. Richard Swenson, author of Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, advocates for creating more “white space” in our schedules. This margin allows for interruptions and the unexpected, providing much-needed breathing room in our lives.

Farmers, I can hear your skepticism. “Elaine,” you might say, “the work on this farm is never finished! We simply don’t have enough time, or enough hands!” On our farm, Sundays are dedicated to margin time for family and faith. While the cows still need feeding, have you neglected to carve out renewal time for yourself and your family?

Are you making time for fulfilling leisure activities away from work? Play isn’t just for children; it’s vital for parents and grandparents too.

#2 – Cultivating a Morning Routine

David Irvine encourages farmers to establish a daily 20-minute habit for reflection or quiet time. My routine involves breakfast first, followed by time in my quiet chair. This period is invaluable for spiritual growth and for contemplating the day’s priorities.

From a business perspective, imagine dedicating 20 minutes each morning to reflect on your farm’s goals and map out your week.

Irvine also suggests a weekly 30-minute “planning session.” I recently did this with my daughter-in-law to coordinate meals for workers, childcare, and my coaching schedule. When you create a plan aligned with your core values, you’ll experience a greater sense of being “on track.”

During a power outage, I enjoyed a wonderful phone conversation with a dear friend. Connecting with friends is one of my top five core values. A highly successful entrepreneur recently shared his best tip on a podcast: he blocks one hour every Thursday evening to connect with friends, even if it’s just a phone call.

Are you prioritizing routine connections like birthday cards and phone calls to the important people in your life? Farming can be lonely and feel isolated. Connection to the community helps folks check in with each other and walk alongside.

#3 – Optimizing Your Energy Management

One of the most effective ways to manage your energy is to return to the fundamentals: rest, nutrition, and movement. Are you getting sufficient sleep? Are you fueling your body with regular, nutritious meals? Are you incorporating plenty of physical activity throughout your day?

These are basic principles. I once encouraged a frustrated farmer to see his doctor, and he later thanked me profusely. He discovered two significant health issues requiring attention and felt remarkably better within two weeks. And several years ago, I made substantial dietary changes due to a wheat allergy, resulting in less “brain fog” and increased energy.

Check out my podcast with wellness coach Lisa Lounsbury here!

#4 – Empowerment Through Choice in Work Situations

Young farmers, who are also parents, often feel caught between the demands of the farm and the responsibilities of raising young children. Is your voice heard at the farm planning table when you request more time off? Do you negotiate the reasonable and unreasonable work expectations of your farm managers? It’s crucial to feel satisfied with how you manage the demands and stress in your life. My spouse serves as an excellent mirror for me; when he senses I’m becoming overwhelmed, he checks in, offers support, or asks what’s happening.

Be gracious and humble when seeking help. Comparison is a joy thief, so I suggest you stop comparing yourself to how other parents manage their overflowing schedules. Be courageous enough to do what is right for your unique situation and what aligns with your core beliefs and values.

#5 – Strategizing Action for What Isn’t Working

Change is inevitable; growth is optional. We have the power to be assertive, take action, and forge a new way of being. The initial conversation is always with yourself.

David Irvine encourages us to ask, “What can I remove from my day today to make room for what is most important?”

I wonder if you find yourself distracted and drawn into the social media vortex of Instagram, X, or Facebook. Perhaps a social media “fast” could free up time for courageous conversations and quality time with your spouse.

#6 – Prioritize Rest and Breaks

Farming and ranching can involve long days. The dream of a vacation, sometime in the future, is not enough to keep you going, so building in short breaks during the day, some family or rest time during the week (even if only part of a day), and an adequate sleep routine, can be the difference between burning out or not.

You can read more about rest in this previous blog post by Lydia Carpenter

#7 – Delegate and Share the Workload

Trying to do everything alone, even if you are the only one who can do it right, is exhausting and unsustainable. If the workload is too much for one person, hire seasonal help, ask neighbours for help, hire some work to be custom done, and figure out creative ways to delegate and share the workload where possible.

#8 – Stay Connected and Seek Support

Isolation increases stress and overwhelm and can make what once felt light feel heavy. To stay connected to others, you can join a peer group, host a farmer/rancher potluck, attend community events, or go to conferences. You can also seek additional support services via coaching and facilitation, and we have The Farm Family Transition Membership you can join. You can also find additional mental health services and supports here:

• Do More Agriculture Foundation
  • Focus: Mental health support, awareness, and training for Canadian agriculture.
  • Website: www.domore.ag
• National Farmers Mental Health Alliance (NFMHA)
  • Focus: Agriculture-Informed Therapy™, education, and counseling for farm families and vets.
  • Website: www.nfmha.ca
  • Toll-free: 1-877-639-8828
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Canada – Mental Health Commission of Canada
  • Focus: Nationally recognized mental health first aid training.
  • Website: www.mhfa.ca
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) USA – National Council for Mental Wellbeing
  • Focus: Mental health training for rural communities and the general public.
  • Website: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Did you enjoy Navigating Farm Life: Making Intentional Choices to Manage Burnout? You might want to check these articles out, too:

Building HR Skills for a Stronger Family Business
7 Ways to Streamline Your Farm Transition Process
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