Understanding blood sugar, diabetes, and cholesterol is like learning the ABCs of our body’s health. Imagine blood sugar as the fuel that keeps our engine running smoothly throughout the day.
Diabetes, however, throws a curveball into this system, making it a bit more challenging to keep everything in balance. Cholesterol, on the other hand, is like the gatekeeper of our arteries, managing the flow of nutrients and oxygen to our cells.
It is no secret that farming is a demanding profession that requires physical stamina and mental resilience. Yet, all too often, farmers may neglect their health in their commitment to tending to the land and feeding Mzansi.
Prioritising farmers’ health
Recognising the vital link between the importance of farmers taking care of their health, the Incon Health and Wellness Exhibition at our sister publication Food For Mzansi‘s Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba provided farmers with free vitality health checks, highlighting the importance of prioritising their health.
Limpopo-based farmer Khutso Dandane highlighted that he went for a checkup because he believes that it is important to always be aware of his health beyond farming.
“I always ensure to do health checkups at least twice a year, and having the station readily available during the indaba made it easy to go for the tests. I want to improve in managing my sleep more effectively and have more rest time outside farming activities.
Limpopo farmer Khutso Dandane
“I trust that doing health checkups as a farmer will be beneficial in the medium to long run, as this will ensure or at least give me peace of mind to know that as I’m working on the farm, I’m in good shape, and that will translate to good productivity on the farm.”
‘Good health is vital’
As for poultry and sunflower farmer Gogontle Kgothego from Mpumalanga, the initiative of doing health checkups for farmers is important, especially during farmer events.
“I was encouraged to go for a for a test for my personal health checkup. To prioritise my health more, I aspire to eat better food and exercise more often. I believe that checking and ensuring that I have good health will make me more active in my farming and provide a longer life,” he said.
Livestock farmer Pebetsi Skolas from Mpumalanga says farming requires a lot of physical activity, so doing the usual health checkups is important.
“I’d like to reduce physical activity. The job we do is incredibly physical and stressful, so a farmer in optimal health can alleviate susceptibility to injury and high blood pressure,” she said.
Minette Czanik, an Incon social worker based in Centurion, Gauteng, emphasised the importance of addressing both the medical and mental aspects of health.
She explained that it is crucial to prioritise one’s health, as aspects such as blood sugar and cholesterol are often overlooked in routine check-ups with physicians. Czanik added that these illnesses can lead to long-term health complications.
“Mental health goes hand in hand with physical health. If you’re not feeling okay physically, obviously, it’s going to affect your mood.
“If you find yourself working long hours and struggling to follow an exercise or eating plan, it’s crucial to prioritise your health by consulting healthcare professionals, such as nurses or doctors, who offer these services,” she said.
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