Mindfulness on the farm
Written by: Sukriti Chaudhary
Counsellor and Community Representative – South Australia, Rural Aid
Have you ever felt you’re on autopilot? Do you find yourself thinking ahead about your chores on the farm, rather than focusing and being in the moment?
Farming is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. It can often take a toll on your health. Farmers face a whole lot of complexities ranging from severe weather conditions, unforeseen calamities, deadlines, and demands on mind, body and bank accounts.
What is something that farmers can do to calm their racing thoughts? It’s worth giving some mindfulness techniques a try! Now, what is mindfulness?
Researchers and doctors define mindfulness as the state of being fully aware and accepting of the present moment, as well as aware of your own thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surrounding environment. To be mindful means you notice these thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judging them – you accept what you notice without necessarily labelling them “good” or “bad.” (SIU Blog, 2021)
Here are some mindfulness strategies:
The touch of the breeze
Sit on the ground under your shed or favourite tree, close your eyes and feel that cool breeze on your face, arms, cheeks, and body. Notice how it makes you feel.
Comprehensive perception
When out in your paddocks, choose a crop, fruit, or trunk of a tree. Notice the colour of that trunk, the texture, the bark, stems of that tree. The more you notice, the more you’ll be in awe
Playful creatures
Take 5-10 minutes, while being still, and watch your surroundings come to life. In the midst of those challenging thoughts, slowly you’ll start to hear the birds’ chirping, the sheep bleating, and cows’ moo-ing, drifting you away from your chain of thoughts
Smelling those fields
Now, let’s expand our sensory awareness by really noticing those different smells around us. Often, we use the term ‘fresh air’. Let’s try to find out what really makes the air so fresh to breathe and smell. Maybe those roses in your front yard, mustard, or canola in your paddocks
Exploring meditation
If you’re someone who’s new to this practice, try downloading an app or listen to guided mediation tracks on YouTube. Try different types of meditation until you find the best suited for you. You could try these under your shed or favourite tree, while sitting, laying down or walking
Mindful breathing
Now before you drive off in your tractor, try to really focus on your breath. Notice where you feel the most tension; in your nostrils, chest or maybe your belly? Just analyse your breath in that moment for a fresh start
The touch of the breeze
Sit on the ground under your shed or favourite tree, close your eyes and feel that cool breeze on your face, arms, cheeks, and body. Notice how it makes you feel.
Comprehensive perception
When out in your paddocks, choose a crop, fruit, or trunk of a tree. Notice the colour of that trunk, the texture, the bark, stems of that tree. The more you notice, the more you’ll be in awe
Playful creatures
Take 5-10 minutes, while being still, and watch your surroundings come to life. In the midst of those challenging thoughts, slowly you’ll start to hear the birds’ chirping, the sheep bleating, and cows’ moo-ing, drifting you away from your chain of thoughts
Smelling those fields
Now, let’s expand our sensory awareness by really noticing those different smells around us. Often, we use the term ‘fresh air’. Let’s try to find out what really makes the air so fresh to breathe and smell. Maybe those roses in your front yard, mustard, or canola in your paddocks
Exploring meditation
If you’re someone who’s new to this practice, try downloading an app or listen to guided mediation tracks on YouTube. Try different types of meditation until you find the best suited for you. You could try these under your shed or favourite tree, while sitting, laying down or walking
Mindful breathing
Now before you drive off in your tractor, try to really focus on your breath. Notice where you feel the most tension; in your nostrils, chest or maybe your belly? Just analyse your breath in that moment for a fresh start
“The key to creating the mental space before responding is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way of being present: paying attention to and accepting what is happening in our lives. It helps us to be aware of and step away from our automatic and habitual reactions to our everyday experiences.” Elizabeth Thornton