Why does CEO’s Mental Health Matters?

CEOs are exceedingly prone to mental health issues because of their hard-won success, which comprises several hours of working weeks, sleep deprivation and acute stress and anxiety.

People think that entrepreneurs are the only ones who suffer from anxiety, but even CEOs have varying degrees of stress, and their mental wellness is under threat from different sides.

Sadly, there is no training course that tells CEOs how to perform their role, but instead, they learn on the job. Also, the digital environments and global markets have filled CEOs’ dairy 24/7/265, leaving them feeling constantly stressed, overworked and suffering from fatigue.

Their immense sacrifice and hard work characterize the journey to taking over the company’s leadership role as a CEO. However, these leaders have to conceal their vulnerabilities in order to thrive because they want to be seen as strong, in charge and stable.

Actually, a CEO will ask others how they are doing, but in most or all instances, no one will ask them in return how they are doing. Their appearance and moods are scrutinized, assessed and commented upon all the time. Any changes can greatly affect a company’s reputation and how others perceive them.

The article will review how CEOs can take care of their mental health and avoid self-neglect that can affect their success.

Engage in Physical Activity & Fitness

CEOs have a lot on their plate every day, and getting up early to go to the gym or engaging in a hobby is never appealing. But beginning your day with an intense workout will make you feel better.

Alternatively, a CEO can simply walk, which can reduce the risk of depression by close to 26%. Actually, it’s possible to do your one-hour meeting via phone call while walking down the street or neighborhood park.

Still, you can download and read documents and web pages using certain apps while walking or listen to a podcast. Walking has tremendous effects on your mental health, helps to burn some calories as well as enhance your mood as well. You can level up by adding hiking and cycling to your weekly schedule because the outdoors’ beauty and engaging terrain will put you in an amazing state of mind.

Meditation or Mindfulness

Meditation or mindfulness don’t mean yoga, chant or something close to it, but they are deeply rooted in science and have numerous benefits.

These two practices can greatly benefit CEOs because the work of the brain is to think and solve problems. However, this organ can prevent them from being their best, but with the help of meditation, they will stop hanging on to those thoughts or allow them to over. Therefore meditation helps them to focus on what is important at that moment, such as making business decisions and prioritizing the next move.

Mindfulness can have an incredible impact on your day-to-day life, such as a clearer focus, making better decisions, or reacting more constructively to challenges. It will also help you strengthen your relationships with your employees and clients because you will be compassionate, engaged and present in your interactions.

You can become less distracted and more focused. Taking mindfulness in small doses will make it doable and work magic.

Join a CEO Peer Group

It would not be fair or helpful to talk with people unfamiliar with CEOs unique challenges. That means you can only discuss the responsibilities of such a role with fellow CEOs. Therefore join a CEO peer group or private executive coach.

In the group, you will find other seasoned CEOs who will share their challenges, thus helping you gain insights from them. Group has varied experiences and collective wisdom that can encourage you to get out of the isolation within your own head and deal with your challenges with the help of people that understand them.

At times, the peer group may not completely meet your needs, and a private executive coach offering one-on-one interaction is what you need. So search for a coach that clicks with you, helps you overcome critical roadblocks and tap greater potential within yourselves.

Spend Time with Friends and Family

The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly limited the amount of time people spend with their loved ones, and when they do so, it has to be done at a distance. However, a CEO needs to find time to connect with their friends and family. You can consider the following tips:

• Create some space for a virtual social time even as you wait for the social distancing orders to be removed entirely.
• A voice app with some buddies can lift your spirits or play games with your family and friends on Zoom.
• An afternoon walk in the neighborhood as you talk on the phone with your friend using your earphone can be awesome.
• Have a distanced movie night with friends in another state or country. Actually, you can stream a movie or show using Netflix Party or Disney+GroupWatch and have a group call where everyone is on speakerphone, and you can hear their reactions in real-time.
• Still, you can grab your video game console and compete with friends.

The idea is to be creative, reach out and keep your connections alive.

A Therapist can Help

At times your mental health might take a huge nose dive after a change of circumstances such as the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, close relative, friend or employee. Such an event might make you lose the desire to work, ability to focus, affect your physical health or family life.

However, it’s important to remember that your customers, employees and family are counting on you, and so you must find a solution to your anxiety and stress.

Find a therapist that can help you address your own experience; however, this must be the right fit for you. That simply means looking for a mental health professional who understands your social, religious, cultural, and other dynamics. A therapist should understand your life’s context.

Further, you must create time and continue talking to a therapist regularly because this is invaluable. This process will also help you understand your employees or any other person undergoing anxiety and stress.

Takeaway

CEOs are prone to mental health issues because they tend to be hyper-vigilant, and their role touches on several areas of responsibility while their minds are on a wide range of ideas.

The post has discussed 5 strategies a CEO can use to reduce their stress. You may find it fit to apply all the tips or find a blend of solutions that work best. Be the CEO that influences those around you by addressing your mental health issues.