Issue #2: Hit Reset in Just 5 Minutes With These Quick Fixes for Stressed Leaders
Quick Stress Relievers, Leader Self-Care Insights, and Ecotherapy for a Balanced Mindset
Reset Your Mind in 5 Minutes - Tips for Busy Leaders
š Tip of the Week
The 5-Minute Reset
Jumping from meeting to meeting, problem to problem or just generally feeling overwhelmed by your workload? Take a 5-minute reset, hereās how:
Step away from your workspace
Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 6
Practice visualizing a calm place like the beach or forest
Make sure to spend a few minutes stretching your body
Return with intention and set a small goal for your next work session
Taking short, mindful breaks like this can help you stay focused and reduce stress throughout your day.
Leading Well Starts With Taking Care of Yourself
Itās a simple yet powerful truth: leading well starts with caring for yourself. For many new managers or those balancing the demands of leadership, this lesson can be tough to learn.
We often hear about the importance of self-care, but finding the time and energy to make it a priority can be challenging for busy leaders. However, self-care is more than just a wellness trend; it's a crucial part of effective leadership.
Research shows that leaders who prioritize self-care are better able to manage their roles, make better decisions, and handle stress. When leaders take time to rechargeāwhether through exercise, mindfulness, or setting boundariesāthey achieve a clearer mindset and a more balanced outlook.
A study from the Department of Work, Organizational, and Business Psychology in Hamburg, Germany, explored how leadersā self-care affects their employees' well-being.1 The research focused on two main ideas:
Leaders who care for their own health also tend to care better for their employeesā health (improved leadership hypothesis).
Leaders who practice self-care set an example that encourages employees to do the same (role-modeling hypothesis).
Using data from over 450 leaders and employees, the study suggests that organizations should support leaders in their self-care and provide training on balancing self-care with employee care. It also highlights the importance of creating a healthy work environment where both leaders and employees can thrive.
Here are 6 ways busy leaders can incorporate self-care into their daily routines:
Start your day with sunlight and plan your day ahead.
Schedule breaks and take short walks between meetings.
Keep healthy snacks available and stay hydrated.
Set clear work boundaries by starting and ending on time.
Delegate tasks effectively to your team.
Include stretching and breathing exercises between meetings.
These small but impactful practices can fit into even the busiest schedules and help leaders maintain their well-being while leading effectively.
Leader Spotlight
Meet Jamie Edwards, a distinguished career coach and leadership expert with a robust background in cultivating high-performing sales and operations teams for Fortune 50 companies. Recognized as one of LinkedIn's top career coaches, Jamie has dedicated his career to mentoring and developing professionals.
He now brings his expertise to his company, Jam Sessions with Jamie. Over the past two years, he has guided over 400 job seekers to success and earned more than 150 glowing recommendations, empowering others to ROCK their job search and land their dream roles.
Hereās what Jamie has to say about the importance of mental health:
āTo me, mental health is the foundation of our overall well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and act, shaping our ability to handle stress, maintain relationships, and make decisions. Without a strong mental foundation, itās difficult to thrive physically, emotionally, or professionally. I am a huge advocate for mental health and promoting open conversations about well-being, resilience, and self-care.ā
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day
Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise global awareness and encourage action to prevent suicides. While a single day of awareness isn't enough to solve all challenges, it serves as a crucial starting point.
Did you know suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15ā29-year-olds.2 ? This statistic highlights the urgent need for support and understanding.
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know needs help, the 988 Lifeline is committed to crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
We can all help prevent suicide.
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support.3
Todayās Newsletter Is Supported By:
Jam Sessions With Jamie
Jam Sessions with Jamie provides a range of personalized career coaching services designed to cater to your specific job search requirements. Our mission is to elevate your presence in the competitive professional landscape by assisting you in creating a standout resume, refining your interviewing skills, and optimizing your LinkedIn profile. If you're aiming to leave a lasting impression on recruiters and hiring managers, we will empower you to confidently navigate every step of your career journey.
Book a discovery call and get a FREE resume review!
Wellness Corner
Have You Heard of Ecotherapy?
Even if you have not heard the term āecotherapyā I would bet you have engaged in it. Commonly called āforest bathingā which emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku, ātaking in the forest atmosphereā.
The purpose was twofold:
To offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout
To inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the countryās forests.
š Ecotherapy is not just for the nature-lover; the practice can be as simple as walking in any natural environment and consciously connecting with whatās around you.
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Until next time, stay well.
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1https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/11/6733
2https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
3 https://988lifeline.org/
* Consult Your Doctor First: Before starting any new exercise routines, wellness plans, or making significant changes to your diet, itās important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help ensure that any new practices are safe and appropriate for your individual health needs. Your well-being is our top priority, so please take this step before making any changes.