Maybe your spring starts on March 1 according to the meteorological calendar. Or maybe you wait for the vernal equinox to officially welcome spring. Your spring might begin when forage breaks dormancy and plants green up, or with the birth of your first lamb or calf. Personally, my spring starts with a deep breath.

This particular breath fills my lungs with air that feels a little bit lighter and moves a little bit freer than the stale winter air I’ve been breathing since November. I hold onto it for an extra second, and during that pause between my inhale and exhale, I notice the sun is a little closer, the sky is a little brighter, and the atmosphere just feels more alive than it was the day before. From that refreshing breath forward, it’s spring in my book, regardless of the freezing nights, the late-season snowfalls, or the general resurgence of winter weather that is an inevitable part of living in the Midwest.

I recently read “Breath” by James Nestor on the science of breathing. To my surprise, what I thought would be a painfully dull dud that ended up on the bottom of my bookshelf was actually a riveting page-turner. I was taken aback by the statistics on the simple act of breathing and its impact on our health, energy, and mood; the studies on breathing techniques that have been shown to enhance athletic performance and improve chronic disease; and how the shape of our skulls, the structure of our jaws, and even the straightness of our teeth affects our breath quality.

My greatest takeaway from the book was that the exhale — not the inhale — is the critical piece of that deep breath we’re told to take in moments of panic or stress. Yes, the inhale provides oxygen to our cells that fuels their functions. But the exhale clears carbon dioxide out of those gas exchange sites to create space for oxygen to be received. Without a complete breath out, carbon dioxide can build up like trash in a dumpster and be lethal to cells, regardless of how much life-giving oxygen we breathe.

An elongated exhale also sends a calming signal to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of regulating the body after our fight-or-flight response is triggered. We can suck in as much air as possible in attempt to disarm the scared, agitated, or downright angry feelings that arise during a stressful event, but it is only through a slow and intentional exhale that makes the merits of a deep breath physically and psychologically effective.

There are many moments on the farm that we could benefit from taking a deep breath, especially in the throes of a busy start to the growing season. But seldom do farmers take a break between hay cutting, raking, and chopping or baling. There’s no time to waste moving livestock through pastures to keep up with the spring flush. And when conditions are right, it’s full steam ahead to plant corn for silage.

On top of the flurry of field activity comes the breakdowns and broken parts that will more than likely take our time and attention away from other tasks. Coordinating family members and field crews requires another layer of forward-thinking and organization. But all the hard work invested in late nights and early mornings can be thrown out the window with a pop-up shower or a forecast of adverse weather, not to mention the whiplash of regulations that threaten the agricultural landscape on the farm level and at large.

When things go awry, a deep breath could make the difference between a level-headed approach to problem solving and an impulsive reaction to unexpected snags. It could be the buffer that separates a safe decision from one that puts you or others in danger.

A deep breath could also be what keeps a situation from reaching its boiling point when frustrations bubble over and words are spoken that cannot be unsaid. Conversely, it might be the first step in resolving a disagreement that would otherwise simmer on low as respect dissolves and resentment grows.

Regardless of the type of equipment you run, the items on your to-do list, or your relationship with Mother Nature this spring, a deep breath is a tool that is always available to help reestablish working order when day-to-day operations get sidetracked. Just one long inhale — and an even longer exhale — has the power to return a frantic mind to the reality of the present moment. And it is in this calm and collected state that we have the best judgment of the circumstances at hand.

This article appeared in the April/May 2025 issue of Hay & Forage Grower on page 4.

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