From Stress to Success: Tips to Improve Mental Health
To pave the way for greater employee engagement and productivity, mental health must be a top priority for every leader. The first step is to incorporate mental health practices into your regular routine.
As a CEO, you are well aware of the demanding environment of running a company. The relentless demands of your role, including long hours, key decision-making, and the constant pressure to outperform your competitors, can create a perfect storm of stress and anxiety.
In this tense atmosphere, it's easy to put mental health on the back burner and believe that every moment needs to be dedicated to moving the business forward. As a result, 75% of C-suite executives have seriously considered leaving their jobs to feel better. But this attitude is not only flawed, it's also detrimental to your overall health and business performance. Investing in mental health services is not a luxury, but an essential part of effective leadership.
Investing in mental health services is not a luxury, but an essential part of effective leadership.
In fact, mental health is directly related to your company's bottom line. Prioritizing your mental health will improve your leadership skills, enable better decision-making, and ultimately take your company to new heights. Moreover, mentally healthy CEOs not only address the complexities of business with greater clarity, but also foster a positive work environment, which in turn leads to better employee morale and engagement, ultimately reducing turnover and improving the company’s overall performance.
On the other hand, ignoring mental health can lead to burnout, poor judgment, and reduced productivity, causing a ripple effect that destabilizes the entire organization. Depression alone impairs the ability to perform physical tasks in about 20 percent of cases and reduces cognitive abilities by about 35 percent.
Mental Health Stigma
Despite the risks, the stigma surrounding mental health remains strong, especially at the leadership level. More than 80% of CEOs are reportedly reluctant to talk about mental health issues in the workplace. This is often due to a common misconception that discussing these issues openly and seeking support is a sign of weakness or an admission of failure.
This stigma prevents some people from addressing their mental health issues. In fact, recognizing the importance of mental health is a sign of strength and confidence. It reflects a commitment to personal growth and the health of your business.
Challenging these misconceptions can help you set a strong example and promote a culture that values mental health and encourages healthy dialogue at all levels of your organization.
Over 80% of CEOs are reportedly afraid to talk about mental health issues at work.
As a therapist who specializes in psychological work with corporate executives, I have seen client after client struggle with the intense pressures of their roles. One example in particular comes to mind. I began working with Of Ezeugwu, founder and CEO of Whose Your Landlord (WYL), through Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund.
The relentless demands of running a rapidly growing business forced him to prioritize his health more in order to continue growing personally and professionally. Our sessions focused on developing strategies to manage stress and increase mental clarity.
Prioritizing mental health has allowed him to further develop and hone his personal resilience and professional skills. Since we started working together, he has successfully raised over $3 million in venture capital and personal funding, all current team members have been with the company for over 2 years, and the company is currently planning to hire an additional 10-15 employees - a testament to the positive dynamics built on a foundation of mental well-being.
Key Tips for Success
If you, too, want to prioritize your mental health to be more successful, here are some tips:
1. Prioritize work-life integration: Find a way to balance your personal and professional life. Consider introducing non-meeting days, flexible work schedules, and mandatory time off to recharge. Integrating work and home life isn't about achieving a perfect balance, but finding a sustainable approach that lets you succeed in both areas.
2. Use digital tools: Consider using mental health apps and tools like our Oura Ring or FitBit smartwatches to track vital statistics like sleep patterns, heart rate variability, and daily activity levels. These devices can provide valuable insights into your overall well-being and help you identify stress-related patterns and triggers. Apps like Headspace and Calm also offer guided meditations and mindfulness exercises that are easy to incorporate into your daily life.
3. Find what works best: Not all stress management techniques are created equal. . Try different stress management methods to find what works best for you. Find what helps you regain balance, whether it's physical activity like jogging or yoga, listening to music, deep breathing exercises, or creative activities like drawing or writing.
4. Cultivate a culture of support: Prioritizing your own mental health sets a good example for the rest of your team. Being open about your own mental health interventions and the benefits you've experienced can help reduce stigma and encourage others to do the same. When employees see leadership actively working on mental health interventions, they'll feel more comfortable and are more likely to seek support themselves.
As CEO, your leadership sets the tone for the entire company. Prioritizing mental wellbeing will not as it were move forward your possess authority abilities, but it will too clear the way for a more locked in and profitable workforce.
So, start incorporating mental health practices into your daily life today and encourage your team to do the same. You'll lead with renewed clarity and strength, inspire your team, and reach new levels of success, and you'll never look back. More
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