Chris Manley is a retail group manager at Muller and a Nuffield scholar.
Walking in the sunshine boosts our levels of serotonin and vitamin D, as well as helping to regulate other body functions such as sleep and digestion.
One clinical psychologist has described going for a 20 minute walk as the best thing anyone could do support their mental health.
I started the ‘Walk With Me' campaign a year ago to encourage a more open approach to mental health in agriculture. I have experienced my own mental health challenges, working through depression at times, and I found that one of the best things to help me was simply going for a walk in the countryside.
Talking with others is also much easier when going on a walk. Don't just take my word for it - Ramblings, a Radio 4 show with Claire Balding which showcases the power of walking and talking together is now on its 30th series!
Walking with someone can be a first step towards having a more meaningful conversation. Farmers are practical people. When we are engaged in physical activity but not looking directly at the other person it can allow us to feel like we can share more, in a way that isn't so easy when you are sitting face to face.
‘Walk With Me' is about trying to create a more open space to talk about our individual challenges. Either by having a conversation privately or by sharing and engaging on social media we can all make a real difference to people who might be feeling down at the moment.
Farming is an isolating job. Concerns and worries will eat away at you. People often try and work through problems themselves and put a brave face on things. We all have a responsibility to check in with people we employ or work with to see how they are actually feeling, and you can often open up the conversation by sharing things yourself.
We wouldn't stigmatise someone if they sought professional help with their physical health, and likewise people shouldn't be afraid to speak to an expert if they are having a hard time mentally.
There may be some farmers who are currently spluttering that they spend enough time outside as it is. What they might like to do is spend some more time somewhere warm and dry instead! If that is the case then make some time to meet up with a friend at a pub fireside this autumn. Just spending a couple of hours off the farm with some company can have a big impact on how you feel.
We have had an incredible response to the ‘Walk With Me' campaign this year, with people joining in from many countries including New Zealand, Canada, Zimbabwe and Denmark. We are all part of a global farming community and it can be so reassuring to know that farmers on the other side of the world are dealing with some of the same mental challenges we are.
So take a first step, whether with an actual walk or a conversation with someone close to you, to help make a difference to someone's mental health. If you want to join us on social media use the #WalkWithMe.
