Rugby has certainly taught me heaps about how to look after myself and handle pressure.
I reckon rugby and farming are really similar that way – there’s always targets to meet and results to achieve.
So how can you prepare for the ups and downs of it all?
Whether you’re an athlete or a farmer, it all starts with getting the basics right – sleep, nutrition and recovery time.
Sleep
Sleep’s massive.
Most of us need seven to nine hours of sleep each day to give our bodies a chance to repair and re-energise for the next day.
Without the right amount of sleep you won’t function at your best.
When I am having trouble sleeping because of worrying about things, I write them down on a bit of paper and save them for the next day.
Nutrition
Whether you’re farming or playing sport you need the right fuel in the tank to perform at your best.
Eat more unprocessed, natural foods – they’ll give you heaps more nutrients and energy.
Avoid skipping meals and carry snacks during the day for when you need energy boosts.
And have water handy.
Poor hydration can really affect your decision-making and ability to perform.
Recovery time
Even though as rugby players we practice heaps and play high intensity games we still build recovery time into our schedule.
This gives us a chance to recover physically and mentally so we can perform at our best next time.
No-one can go hard out all day, every day without breaks.
That’s the stuff of burn out.
So build proper breaks into your working day and seasonal calendar.
Whether it’s a two-week holiday, a weekend away or an afternoon off, remember any break is better than none.
Recovery time makes you more energised and efficient when you are on the job.
Remember to warm up
Once you’ve got these basics under your belt it’s all about day-to-day maintenance.
Keeping in better shape can be as easy as doing some simple warm-up stretches and exercises each day before you hit the woolshed, the milking cups, drench the lambs or drive the tractor. Doing warm-ups keeps the body flexible and prevents you picking up unnecessary strains, niggles and injuries that can wear you down. Whether you’re a farmer or a lock, warming up before you work will extend your career.
Working on these basics helps me cope with the ups and downs of sporting life and I know they will also help when I am back farming.
And that’s what Farmstrong’s all about, looking after the farm’s number one asset – you.
MORE:
Head to www.farmstrong.co.nz
There’s a tonne of other farmer-to-farmer videos and stories on our website www.farmstrong.co.nz that will help you become a better farmer and a better person. So check out a new habit that could work for you and lock it in.
