In episode 2 of the Maintaining Mental Fitness Season 2 webinar series with Dr Bill Howatt of Howatt HR, he says COVID-19 has disrupted how we live and how work gets done, leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed on the farm. We struggle and stress wondering if we are going to be able to get local workers and if temporary foreign workers or seasonal workers will arrive on time, and healthy to be able to work on farm to allow the farm to have a prosperous season.
When reading through this post, keep in the back of your mind the interaction with your energy level, physiology, hydration, and what you say and hear. This is your mental state.
What is happening in the now is what is important for our mental health. We do our mental health in the moment.
How overwhelmed do you feel at work on a typical day?
Feeling overwhelmed may include the following:
- Confusion
- Conflict about priorities and what to do next
- Feeling like we have more to do than time to do it
- Concerns about failing to achieve an outcome
- Stressed by perceived workload
- Experiencing increased interpersonal conflicts that make it harder to get things done.
The first step is to admit your feelings
Not paying attention to or focusing on how you are feeling can stop you from knowing how you truly are feeling.
Dr Howatt mentioned that if you ask people how they are, they may say “I’m super busy.” He says this may be a sign that they have learned that the feeling of being constantly busy is a positive sign, when it actually may be an early indicator of being at risk of being overwhelmed.
Taking control and feeling less overwhelmed begins with recognizing some of the key factors that are having you feel overwhelmed.
Recognize what is in your control
Mental health is becoming more mindful of what is in our control.
To track your feelings daily, use the HUGR Authentic Connections App. Visit the We Talk We Grow Website and scroll to Mobile Apps to Support Mental Health and Wellness and Click to download.
Visit https://maintainingmentalfitness.com/ to watch the full webinar. It is only about 20 minutes.
