Men's Health Week 2026 is encouraging men to focus on taking health 'One Step at a Time', a message that particularly resonates within Ireland's farming community.

For many farmers, health is rarely ignored deliberately, according to Fit Farmers' founder, nurse Laura Tully.

She said: "More often, it is postponed. Long working days, unpredictable weather, financial pressures, labour shortages and family responsibilities can leave little time to think about personal wellbeing.

"There is always another job to do, another animal to check, another field to walk. As a result, health often slips down the list of priorities until a problem becomes difficult to ignore.

"Progress is made through small, achievable actions: a conversation; health check; better night's sleep; a decision to seek advice earlier."

That philosophy sits at the heart of the Fit Farmers' programme.

Over recent years, Tully has worked alongside farming communities to make health and wellbeing support more accessible, relevant, and practical for farmers.

Through health checks, community events and a six-week lifestyle intervention programme, the initiative encourages farmers to make sustainable improvements in physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and overall wellbeing.

She said: "Often, however, the most valuable aspect of these programmes is not the information provided but the conversations they create."

Farmers regularly speak openly about fatigue, stress, aches and pains, sleep difficulties, high blood pressure and the challenge of finding time to look after themselves, according to Tully.

"Sometimes these conversations lead to someone attending their GP earlier, recognising signs of burnout or making changes that improve their quality of life."

Fit Farmers

Recognising the need to provide support beyond face-to-face events, the Fit Farmers' app was launched at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2025.

"What made the project different from the outset was its commitment to co-design," Tully said.

She explained that the app was developed with farmers rather than simply for them, involving health professionals, wellbeing experts, agricultural organisations, community stakeholders "and farmers themselves to ensure the content reflected real farming experiences".

"The result is a digital resource offering trusted information on healthy living, body health, mental wellbeing, farm safety, and support services that can be accessed whenever and wherever it is needed.

"Whether during a break in the yard, over a cup of tea in the kitchen or at the end of a busy working day, the app allows farmers to engage with health information at a time that suits them."

Less than a year after launch, the app has surpassed 1,000 downloads and generated almost 2,000 page views.

According to Tully, this growth has occurred without a dedicated marketing campaign or advertising budget.

Instead, the app's reach has been driven largely through word of mouth, with farmers who attended Fit Farmers' programmes and events recommending it to neighbours, family members and fellow farmers.

She said: "In close-knit rural communities, where trust and personal recommendation remain highly valued, that organic growth may be one of the strongest indicators that the resource is meeting a genuine need."

The early findings are encouraging for another reason, according to Tully.

"They challenge common assumptions about digital engagement in rural communities," she said.

"Farmers generally reported good levels of digital confidence, suggesting that technology itself is not the primary barrier to accessing digital health support.

That finding reflects a reality familiar to many farming families where farmers are already using sophisticated technology in their businesses every day.

"The challenge is often not whether they can engage with health support, but whether that support is accessible in ways that fit around the demands of farming life," Laura said.

"Interestingly, some of the most frequently accessed areas of the app have been healthy living, body health and mental wellbeing.

"This suggests that farmers are actively seeking information about their health when resources are presented in a practical, relevant and trustworthy format."

The Fit Farmers founder highlighted however that app downloads and page views "tell only part of the story".

"The real value of any health initiative is reflected in the actions it inspires: a farmer booking a health check after reading about blood pressure, recognising the signs of stress and seeking support, or making a change that improves sleep, energy levels or overall wellbeing," Tully continued.

"While these outcomes can be difficult to measure, they are often the most meaningful."

She said that Men's Health Week acts as a reminder that progress matters more than perfection.

"The experience of Fit Farmers demonstrates that meaningful engagement occurs when support is designed around people's lives, rather than expecting people to adapt to services.

"Increasingly, it may begin with a few minutes spent accessing trusted information on stress, sleep, nutrition or heart health through a smartphone," Tully added.

What matters, Tully contended, is taking that initial step.

"Better health is rarely the result of one major decision. More often, it develops through small, practical actions taken consistently over time."

As Men's Health Week encourages men to take health one step at a time, farmers do not need to transform their lifestyle overnight, Tully said.

She added: "Sometimes the first step is simply learning more about their health, understanding the supports available, or taking a moment to reflect on their own wellbeing.

"For farmers looking to take that first step, the Fit Farmers' app provides free access to practical health information, wellbeing resources and support services designed with farming life in mind."

The Fit Farmers' app is available free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.