Adult farmer feeding dairy cows.

Taking care of your health through the ages

Simple lifestyle changes can help ensure you age well, and safely

It is no secret that Canadian farmers are getting older. The 2016 Census shows the average age of farmers in Canada is 55, up from 52 in just 10 years. It is also no secret that as people age, we experience changes that can reduce our physical and mental capabilities. Signs of aging include: 1. […] Read more

Reporter’s Notebook: Seek out the services you need

This has been a long harvest. Know how to find support, and don’t hesitate to use it


It’s been a rough harvest. If you didn’t have a miserable harvest, you may have been stricken by drought. If you weren’t worried about the weather, there were the NAFTA renegotiations to keep you up at night. The House of Commons Ag Committee has been studying mental health issues among farmers and livestock producers. The […] Read more


Hydration is important because water does many things for the body.

How are your health habits?

Many say they are too busy to include new habits into their day for better health

The problem with habits is that they take time and effort — something we don’t naturally drift to. Health is an ongoing series of habits and decisions you make every day, but one of the biggest barriers clients tell me about is not having enough time to include new healthy habits into their life. They […] Read more

Technology has greatly improved efficiency, but it can put more demands on producers as well.

Make the smart health choice

Approach your health plan as seriously as you approached your spring cropping plan

Many producers I talked to before spring seeding said they were going to run hard and put in long hours to make up for the late start. From a risk management perspective, the No. 1 priority every spring should be your health and safety. Over the past 10 years, advancements in equipment and technology have […] Read more


Be mindful of how you breathe

Improper breathing can cause stiffness, headaches and decreased energy

The way we breathe dramatically influences our total body function and health. Breathing improperly will not only cause stiffness in the upper back, shoulders, hips, and neck, it can also decrease energy levels. The most common manifestation I see of poor breathing is neck pain and headaches. Many breathe with the muscles in the upper […] Read more

Weight loss is only one aspect of health

We tend to focus on the number on the scale but that’s only one part of a healthier life

This is a phrase I hear almost daily as a health-care professional in the fitness industry: “My doctor said I needed to lose 20 pounds in three months to get healthier.” Yes, the number on a scale is one indicator of health, but it is just one aspect of how we measure health. Usually, improving your health (blood […] Read more


Mental health is a farm safety issue

Farming is stressful, for farmers and their families. Make mental health a priority

Farmers had to be tough or we wouldn’t have started farming the Prairies. This toughness is mental as well as physical. It is also lonely. And with 60 per cent of us experiencing anxiety, 36 per cent suffering from depression and over 45 per cent living with high stress it is a farm safety issue […] Read more

Relieve those winter aches and pains

Here’s some suggestions to help you feel better through the cold months

As we get through winter, it’s not uncommon to see an increase in certain injuries. While the cold weather and lack of sunshine play their part in how we feel and function, there’s a few things we can do to keep our bodies moving during the snowy, dark months. A common complaint during the winter […] Read more


Lessons from the hospital

Lessons from the hospital

When my husband was in a serious accident I learned many things while helping to care for him

My new year is in September when harvest is in full swing. On October 2, 2017 our farm family entered a new season of caring for my husband Wes, who collided at an uncontrolled intersection in his 2015 pickup with a heavy-duty trailer which flipped. Multiple rib fractures, concussion and a separated shoulder put Wes […] Read more

Mental health on the farm: understanding stress

Mental health on the farm: understanding stress

According to a 2005 report, almost two-thirds of Canadian farmers are feeling stressed on their farms. One in five farmers describe themselves as being “very stressed” while almost half (45 per cent) describe themselves as being “somewhat stressed.” Stress is all around us. Understanding it and managing it are essential in having healthy minds and […] Read more