Jaw clenching and tooth grinding

Jaw clenching and tooth grinding

Fit to Farm: Regular, intentional tongue movement can reduce tension in your jaw, neck and shoulders

Stress management, dental care and other health factors remain important in addressing jaw clenching and grinding, but intentional tongue exercises may help you deal with the painful symptoms in the meantime.

How we connect with others, such as our parents, depends on variables including our cultural backgrounds, our personal styles — and our external stressors.

On-farm communication improves when we start with connection

Seeds of Encouragement: Where you stand with your offspring comes from their relationships to you

Elaine writes: In so many of the families we coach, we see communication breakdowns leading to escalation of conflicts. In some cases, using strategies that provide family members with the tools they need to have better communication can help — but in many cases a relationship between family members has broken down to the point […] Read more



The crisis line is available at 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701) to provide confidential assistance to those in need (Photo: Andrii Zorii/Getty Images)

Launching National Farmer Crisis Line

Crisis line is available at 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701)

As farming gleans stress from a variety of sources, the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing announced on Feb. 4 that it has set up the National Farmer Wellness Network. The crisis line is available free of charge and was designed specifically for the mental health challenges faced by Canadian farmers, their families as well as […] Read more


Intentionally slowing down your usual simple routine movements can help calm your nervous system and dial down a pain response.

Non-surgical options to manage pain

Fit to Farm: Don’t just ignore pain or the clues to its causes

As an athletic therapist, I often work with individuals faced with managing painful conditions in the short and long term. Many conditions or injuries do require surgery to repair underlying issues. That said, many pain-related symptoms do not require surgical intervention to alleviate. Pain and other uncomfortable sensations occur for many reasons, often entirely unrelated […] Read more



As farmers we need to be able to manage our emotional states. For some, connecting with nature out in our fields and pastures is our path toward greater emotional clarity.

Find paths out of distress, depression, disconnection

What keeps you centred and grounded? Observe and pay attention at those times

Patricia Morgan is a dynamic force for change and my good friend. She’s authored a new award-winning book, Return to Center: Simple Strategies to Navigate Distress, Depression and Disconnection. As farm families brace for or embrace the winter season, I thought we all should be reminded of good practical tools to be emotionally strong and […] Read more