{"id":61086,"date":"2025-02-04T01:00:39","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T09:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/civileats.com\/?p=61086"},"modified":"2025-02-04T12:20:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T20:20:36","slug":"for-farmers-fitness-programs-can-improve-mental-health-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/civileats.com\/2025\/02\/04\/for-farmers-fitness-programs-can-improve-mental-health-too\/","title":{"rendered":"For Farmers, Fitness Programs Can Improve Mental Health, Too"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/div>

Cynthia Flores was a farmer for twenty years, and despite doing intense physical labor every day, she never thought of herself as an athlete.<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cIt wasn’t until I got into strength training that there was a shift in my mindset,\u201d she said. With a new perspective on farming, Flores began to prioritize self-care and be more mindful of her body. As her interest in fitness grew, she started competing in Strongman<\/a> events, where athletes face off in Herculean challenges. (You can see her on Instagram pulling a horse trailer<\/a> with nothing but some ropes and her own body weight.) Now a certified personal trainer and licensed massage therapist, Flores works with farmers and farmworkers across the country. \u201cAre you farmers or athletes?\u201d she often asks to kick off her workshops. \u201cYou\u2019re athletes, just in overalls,\u201d she answers.<\/p>\n

“Are you farmers or athletes? You\u2019re athletes, just in overalls.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Farmers usually don\u2019t have the same access to specialized trainers and coaches as professional athletes do, so it can be hard for them to get the guidance they need to move safely, build strength, and bounce back from injuries. That appears to be changing, though, partly due to the online fitness boom that emerged during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Flores, who studied kinesiology and outdoor education before becoming a farmer, is one of a small but growing group of fitness professionals dedicated to helping farmers and others in agriculture stay fit and healthy so they can do their work with more ease and less pain.<\/p>\n

In 2020, Flores founded Labor-Movement<\/a>, a small business devoted to helping farmers, fishers, and industrial athletes improve how they move, increase efficiency, and extend their longevity. \u201cA lot of my friends were farmers and they were asking, \u2018How do I not get hurt?\u2019 Flores said, explaining that no one she knew wanted to end up hospitalized or unable to help feed their communities during the pandemic. \u201cWith the elevation of farmers as essential workers, they began to understand a little more how important their work was,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Cynthia<\/a>

Cynthia Flores at Goranson Farm in Dresden, ME. (Photo credit: Kelsey Kobik\/Labor-Movement)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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Labor-Movement started with just a few online workshops during quarantine and has since grown into a full-time endeavor for Flores, who also has an associates\u2019 degree in psychology. Last year, she reached 900 farmers across 18 U.S. states and British Columbia through online and in-person services, including two-hour movement workshops<\/a> and winter strength training sessions for farmers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Flores specializes in body mechanics<\/a> and movement patterns, other farm fitness specialists are offering everything from high-intensity interval training to Pilates posters and yoga classes.<\/p>\n

Many say their programs not only enhance physical strength but also mental well-being, helping those in agriculture better manage the stresses of their lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Link Between Physical and Mental Health<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>

Farmers experience some of the highest levels of job stress<\/a> and related health issues in the nation, including heart disease<\/a> and high blood pressure. Persistent stress has been linked not only to chronic diseases and susceptibility<\/a> to injury, but also to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Suicide rates for farmers are two to five times greater<\/a> than the national average.<\/p><\/div>

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Mental Health Resources for Farmers<\/div>

This article discusses issues of stress and suicide within the agricultural industry and efforts aimed at improving mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of these resources for support:<\/p>\n