Life’s busy for all of us these days but it’s really important for me that when I have those days away from rugby I make it a priority to switch – emotionally as well as physically – into family life.
What helps me do that is having. as best I can, a clear line between when work finishes and family life starts.
Sometimes that line can be blurred as the two worlds can cross over and I’m well aware that life on farms doesn’t just stop at 5pm.
The thing is, we all have to stop and take breaks.
When I get home my little boy isn’t interested in the challenges I’m facing in setting up the new farm we’ve just bought or the pressures I face as a professional athlete – I’m Dad.
All he cares about is seeing Dad, playing with Dad and basically giving me the run around as all toddlers do and he’s quite good at it.
It’s a wonderful time and a time that Hannah and I really enjoy.
What that quality time also does is gives me energy and a level of satisfaction that can help me when I’m away from home.
Like many others my line of work means I travel a lot. I love being on tour and representing Canterbury and my country. It’s an incredible honour. But being away can be tough on family life so my time at home helping out and just being there gives me a huge boost.
This last week leading into Father’s Day has been a perfect example of that.
With a short break from rugby all three of us had a great time together.
I got up to our new farm for a few days and we even got a bit of skiing in.
I think Father’s Day, for us guys in particular, is a good reminder that it’s important to have time out and recharge.
I need to have a plan to stop and take some time out. Having a break gives me a chance to recharge.
In farming making time to get off the farm for a while and connect with mates or family is really important.
However, getting off the farm is always easier said than done.
For those going through lambing and calving right now it might not be an option but the time will come and when it does I encourage you to take it.
Investing in yourself and taking breaks from the farm are just some of the messages I promote as part of my role as Farmstrong ambassador.
Farmstrong is a wellbeing programme designed specifically for farmers.
It’s a role I’m really proud to hold, particularly given I grew up on a farm and I plan to return to farming once my rugby career comes to an end.
What I advocate through Farmstrong is adopting small, positive things over a period of time so you can lock them in and they become habits.
Small investments in your physical and emotional fitness, done over a period of time, will help you in the long term – including through the ups and downs of farming.
On the Farmstrong website there’s a stack of information, advice and tips on simple things like sleep and nutrition.
What’s also great is that you can hear from other farmers and growers about what they’re doing to look after themselves and in turn their families and farming business.
A happy Father’s Day to all the dads reading Farmers Weekly this week.
