Farmers' secret to a happy workday

Farmers' secret to a happy workday!

Akshayakalpa farmers are happy people, especially during the growing season. Unlike city dwellers with corporate jobs, they seemed to love what they did every single day. We observed them year after year and saw that they had no Monday blues. Surprising, isn't it????

Just like you, our curiosity knew no bounds. Hence, a few of us from the Akshayakalpa Bangalore office went down to our farm in Tiptur. After a lovely three-hour journey, during which we spoke with our farmers, plant specialists, and scientists, we discovered something truly amazing that has the potential to improve not just the lives of those who work nine to five, but also those of everyone who will be reading this little article!

Here are the top three findings from our discussions with the farmers:??

1. Experiencing a state of flow: As we sat down in the beautiful vegetable garden watching our Akshayakalpa farmers, we noticed that they were deep in conversation with their crops. They did not seem to notice the time flying, or the weather changing. It seemed like every action, movement and thought was seamlessly moving from one to another. They were experiencing a state of FLOW. The revelation that being one with nature can automatically put you in a state of flow, a state of focus in which a person is completely engrossed and absorbed in their work was a joyous one.??

2. Nature's own anti-depressant: When we asked our farmers why they loved farming so much, most of them said they love getting their hands dirty in the soil with a sense of euphoria in their eyes. One conversation with our plant cum soil expert and we knew the effect farming and being with the soil can have on the human body. “Healthy soil is not just the epitome of nutrition for plants which then becomes the main source of nutrition for us humans, but more interestingly, soil can also directly affect our mood and is a?wonderful anti-depressant! Doctors in the UK use soil therapy to treat patients with depression and anxiety. This is because the soil has microbes and bacteria that stimulate serotonin production (also called feeling-good hormone) which makes you relaxed and happier”.???

3. A relationship that never fails: Our farmers absolutely love the early morning farm check-ins and relish watching the plants grow day after day. It’s a silent bond between the farmer and the crop, a relationship that never fails them. This is not the case with all farmers, most farmers worry about fixing a broken pump somewhere, taking their cows to a vet, or getting an electrical point fixed. Whereas, Akshayakalpa farmers don’t have to worry about these challenges. All their problems and challenges are ours! We have a skin-in-the-game partnership with all our farmers. Our Farm Extension team empowers farmers with resources – technological, mechanical, financial, and academic – which allow them to focus completely on their work and do what they love the most, farming. It all makes sense, right? Just like Maslow’s hierarchy, you can’t focus on anything bigger, till your basic needs like a normal three-course meal, shelter, and a regular income is sorted. Our farmers are focusing on relationship with their soil, farm and animals because their psychological and safety needs are met.??

No wonder our farmers are happier than most of the urban population with nine to five jobs. They are in direct connection with the roots of Akshayakalpa – Organic Soil and get their dose of natural happy hormone every day!???

After we quenched our curiosity, we headed back. But as we were travelling back, we couldn’t stop but ponder about how to get everyone in the cities to enjoy this dose of the natural happy hormone. In cities like Bangalore, we are so accustomed to an immaculate lifestyle that we hardly ever touch the soil. But where there is a will, there is a way.??

Being one with nature is simple and easy, even for city dwellers, especially when this can be a sure-shot activity in fulfilling the pursuit of happiness(at least in parts).??

1. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big or small place, get your hands dirty and make room for growing your plants or maintaining a small garden.? Starting your day with 30 mins in the garden can put you in a state of flow and be the perfect pick-me-up.??
2. A pro tip to remember when you start gardening is - Don’t worry if your plants don’t grow the way you expect them, just keep at it. Nature is resilient, it always finds a way to bounce back!??
3. If you want to experience a farmer's life for a day, you can come to visit us at the farm and get your dose of serotonin with Akshayakalpa! We would love to see you there. To know more about how to visit us you can check out our website: https://bit.ly/3UiYXeL? ?