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 Are you getting enough sleep ?“In the middle of calving season, I’m like a walking zombie.” “ I went the doctor to figure out why I wasn’t sleeping, 130 pounds is off, and now I’m sleeping like a baby.” “You’re such a grouch, why don’t you skip the chores for now and have a nap !” Sound familiar ? When I was cruising the corridors at Ag Days this year, my first question after saying hello was “are you getting enough sleep?” I was addressing ag. policy leaders, farmers who give oodles of time to lobbying and developing policy that helps all of us. I am concerned that leaders and workers alike are burning the candle at both ends, and not getting restorative sleep. I have an 80 year old mentor who gave me a votive candle holder for my birthday. She noted “it only has one end to burn, remember that, I don’t want to see you trying to burn the candle at both ends !” Carolyn Schur of www.schurgoode.com and www.asssociatedsleepservices.ca helps employers and workers find ways to get more sleep and value it. She uses a pro-active approach to help analyze where fatique and sleepiness are coming from. “Sleep better—feel better—work better” is her motto, as sleep has huge restorative properties. Farmers are fools to think that they can work like robots and not pay the consequences. The National Sleep Foundation warns that chronic sleep debt can cause premature death (www.sleepfoundation.org). You are at high risk of sleep debt when you spend long periods awake (seeding, harvest, calving, etc ), get poor quality sleep (snoring, phone call wake-ups) and or have a sleep disorder. Schur’s main message for farmers is to recognize fatique and not work through it. Schur uses these “power-up” tips to restore alertness, avoid impairment caused by sleep debt or fatique. Take a nap. Some companies have napping policies and chairs or nap mats for powering up with a nap. Bench seats of pick-ups work well ,too ! My elderly farming father is famous for his 10 minute naps on the living room carpet after lunch. He has done this for years, and I wish I could do the same! Breathe, and take deep breaths. Your brain needs adequate oxygen to keep alert, so stretch those arms, and take a break off the equipment. Inhale that awesome country air! Drink water. We invested in a water cooler for our kitchen and our seed plant office. Water hydration keeps you alert, and forces you off the equipment for a “leak break”. Eat cheese, almonds, sunflower seeds, hard cooked eggs, and other protein snacks. It’s important to stabilize your blood sugar levels. Meals to the field are a high priority on our farm, and everyone appreciates renewed energy. Stretch. I have a “pro-active disk” affectionately known as my “whoopee cushion” that inflates so that my hips can rotate while driving long distances or sitting at the computer. I got it from Fitter First in Calgary. (www.fitter1.com )I have also started answering the phone by standing up and stretching my leg muscles. Are you getting enough sleep ? Do you feel healthy ? Can you do your work ? Are you in a good mood ? These are some of Carolyn Schur’s questions to clients, even teens whose night owl tendencies are wrecking havoc with school demands. She calls this “desynchronization “. I call it being out of whack and grouchy. Schur is able to do assessments over the phone, so she can help you with practical tips from a distance. Cherish your sleep. I ask friends not to call after 10 p.m. In Switzerland it is considered rude to call after 8 p.m.! Seek help for sleep disorders, and recognize your circadian type..are you an early morning person, or a night owl? John Ortberg in “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” says that sometimes the most holy thing you can do is take a nap ! Grouchy farmers are not fun to live with. Sleepy teens who happen to drive off the road due to “microsleeps” those uncontrollable waves of fatigue where you nod off at the wheel, are at risk. You might like to try the “yoga rest” . Schur taught me this trick as a quick refresher. You lie flat on your back on the bed or floor. Bring your knees up with the soles of your feet flat on the floor. Feel your lower back sink into the floor. Lift one foot and place it on the opposite knee. Stay in this position for 10 minutes, it helps promote circulation of blood flow to the brain, and really works ! Sleep deprivation causes impairment of judgment . “Impairment is impairment is impairment” stresses Schur. You can’t make good decisions when you are over-tired. Every farm needs a farmer and farm partner who are functioning safely and at top capacity. Sleep is a hot media topic these days, and we all need to pay attention to how we are protecting the one thing that can heal us emotionally and physically. “Sleep is the body’s great restorer. It helps the insure the proper working of the brain, balances the emotions, and maintains the immune system.” (Christine Gorman, Time magazine December, 2001 ) Heal your farm family with great sleep. Invest in great bed, comfy bedding and a good routine. I give you permission to go and take a nap! Elaine Froese has experienced the ill effects of sleep deprivation firsthand with a serious post-partum depression. She urges readers to seek treatment and help to get rid of their sleep debts. She is thankful to be healed, and sleeps well. Visit www.elainefroese.com or call 1-866-848-8311. Elaine Froese is a certified family business coach and professional speaker. Take good care of your family. |
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