Recently, I heard Dr. James Hewitt, a human behavior scientist and author, speak about the concept of regenerative performance. He spoke about how many of us are spending most of our time in middle gear. We need to approach our work more like a performance athlete would approach their training process.

It’s no surprise that weather-related anxiety is common among farmers. When your livelihood is directly tied to conditions beyond your control, it’s natural to feel stress, frustration or even fear. But there are ways to cope – mentally, emotionally and practically – so that the unknowns of the season don’t take a toll on your well-being.

One of our daughters recently graduated from college. She had three options for places to live after graduation, so a trip was planned to check out two of them. I was ecstatic when she invited me along. I didn’t even have to beg or hint!

How you respond to stress defines you. It shapes your leadership, relationships and ultimately, your business’ success. The way you handle pressure doesn’t just affect your decisions – it affects everyone around you. Your employees, partners and family feel the ripple effects of your reactions, for better or worse.

Despite the numerous sources of anxiety that can affect those in agriculture, farmers tend to be reluctant to ask for help. While there is still sometimes an unfortunate stigma around addressing mental health issues, farmers are also conditioned to be independent.

Jackie Sanford, Heather Lifsey and Becky Heim found that balancing these roles with their responsibilities on the farm and careers required creativity, resilience and a willingness to lean on others. Their journeys reveal not only the struggles of caregiving but also the profound strength it takes to navigate this path.