Q&A: Linda Emanuel: Gratitude good for health

GREENVILLE, Iowa — As planting season approaches, to-do lists often pile up. It’s important for farmers to step back and make time to relax.

“We know that farmers and ranchers and their families have a strong work ethic,” said Linda Emanuel, registered nurse and community health director at AgriSafe Network, during a Total Farmer Health podcast.

“There’s no slacking, and they try to stay ahead of the weather changes that may be coming on the horizon. Profit margins can be tight, and there’s just really no time to complain.”

It’s important for farmers to take care of their mental and physical health, in addition to their farm.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

Q: What are some of the common coping mechanisms associated with the stresses in agriculture?

A: So, those coping mechanisms vary. They’re all individual. And there are some that are healthy and some that are unhealthy. So, the more common unhealthy ones could be smoking, increased consumption of alcohol, sleeping too much or too little, or eating too much or too little.

While those behaviors provide instant gratification or relief, they definitely have long term consequences.

Q: What is gratitude and how do you relate it to our everyday conversations?

A: So, I ran across a quote when I was doing some research on gratitude that that really resonated well with me: “Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life.”

Gratitude is the practice of acknowledging and honoring which you already have and do. And it’s been proven to actually increase your well-being and the bonus is — it’s free.

It can be practiced all year long, not only during the season of gratitude, but all year long. And an additional definition is that it’s being thankful to show appreciation, to live fully and have a grateful heart wherever you are at.

Gratitude can fill the brain with a sense of wonder. And when you use gratitude as part of your daily life, when you share gratitude with others, it’s like a magnetic force that attracts people to you.

It is helpful in relationships. It builds trust, strengthens relationships and as a side benefit, it can also increase romance with significant others.

Q: Any other thoughts on gratitude?

A: Creating an intention of feeling and expressing gratitude at all times and across all situations can be a powerful guiding force to help you through your day. And that’s what really we are here for — to enjoy the experience. And then just to take in all of the gifts around us.