Wellness Check-In Challenge
To the extent that any farmer or rancher has a “quiet” season, winter is it. There is still plenty of work to do, certainly. However, winter, with its frozen fields and short days marks one of the more reflective times of year. A season to take what rest we can get and gather ourselves before the next busy season begins.
Now, with winter ending, we here at AgWell are offering a simple challenge to all our farmers and ranchers: before you leap into the spring take five minutes to do an honest wellness check.
We’ve created a simple one for you, here. Read through each category, answering the questions honestly in your head. Then, rank yourself on a scale of 1 (terrible) to 5 (excellent.)
Physical Wellness: How are you feeling physically, today? Does any body part hurt? Are you having trouble completing any tasks? When was the last time you went to the doctor? When did you last have bloodwork done? Is there something you need to address but continue to push off? An aching shoulder, a spot on your face? How do you feel about your current level of physical fitness?
On a scale of 1-5, rank your current physical state.
Mental Wellness: How are you feeling mentally, today? Are you happy? Sad? Worried? Content? At this moment in life, what is causing you the most stress? How are you coping with that stress? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Who are your go-to people for helping you feel better when life gets you down?
On a scale of 1-5, rank your current mental state.
Social Wellness: How connected do you feel to friends and family, today? When was the last time you spent time with friends for purely social reasons? Who would you like to see? Who would enjoy an invite to coffee? When is your next chance to get off the farm or ranch and socialize?
On a scale of 1-5, rank your current social connections.
Spiritual Wellness: Regardless of your personal take on religion, how is your soul feeling, today? What refills your cup when you’re worn down? Where do you go to find that sense of purpose and belonging? Who(or what) plays an important role in guiding you through the harder parts of life?
On a scale of 1-5, rank your current spiritual state.
Now for the challenge: select at least one category that needs work and commit to one small step to address it. Have you been procrastinating on the bloodwork? Schedule an appointment. Are you been skipping Sunday services to sleep in? Commit to setting your alarm this week.
Also, remember that there are resources available specifically to farmers and ranchers. For a clickable list of these programs in Colorado, visit our website at www.agwell.org.
As we gear up for this season, remember to care for the most valuable asset on your farm or ranch: you.
