Homesteading has become a common hobby for many Canadians due to its mental benefits. People have found that working with the land gives their lives structure, reduces stress, and offers a break from the pressures of everyday life. This is especially true for working professionals.
Stephen Gleave from Ancaster, Ontario, has experienced the benefits of homesteading firsthand. He’s a busy employment lawyer, a competitive runner, and the owner of a 100-acre farm filled with Scottish Highland cows, honey bees, fruit orchards, and Carolinian forests. His routine of caring for the land offers a different kind of focus than his legal work.
“When I’m tending to my orchard and caring for my animals, my mind is a lot clearer,” says Gleave. “The quiet environment gives me a sense of calm that’s hard to come by in the corporate world.”
The mental health benefits of homesteading come from the act of staying busy with meaningful work. The work itself demands a lot of focus and attention, which Gleave says helps him unplug from the busy life of his legal practice.
“The farm keeps me busy, so I can step away from work. I usually leave my electronics inside so I can focus on the task at hand,” he says.
Independence is another key benefit. Running a farm involves problem-solving and practical skills, like feeding livestock and planning seasonal work for an orchard. Gleave says that these tasks make him feel accomplished in a way that’s different from his professional achievements.
“Completing a project on the farm provides immediate results. There’s a great sense of satisfaction that comes with seeing the outcomes of your own hard work,” says Gleave. The combination of mental and physical work builds confidence and offers a counterbalance to the more abstract nature of office work.
Homesteading also offers a connection with others, even in a relatively solitary environment. Sharing honey or produce, giving advice to neighbours, or helping local farming initiatives provides a sense of community and reminds farmers that their efforts have value beyond their properties. These small interactions can improve mood and help maintain social ties, which is crucial for mental health.
Physical activity is another benefit. Daily farm chores like lifting hay, moving feed, or pruning trees keep the body moving. Regular physical activity improves overall health, mood, and sleep. Blending physical work outdoors and cognitive office work creates a balance that helps prevent burnout.
Researchers and clinicians point to nature exposure and purposeful outdoor activity as effective ways to reduce stress and improve attention. The garden, the orchard, and the pasture offer a scale and pace that can make work problems seem smaller, or at least more manageable. For people who spend much of their week inside and under pressure, this change of setting is useful.
Gleave’s example shows how the routine of farm work can coexist with a demanding career. The cycle of seasons, the steady presence of animals, and the long-term care of trees and hives provide contrast to the speed of corporate life. More Canadians are reporting that balance, using homesteading as a way to manage stress while staying connected to the land.
