You’re an executive dealing with burnout. How can you manage your stress levels?

Unfortunately burnout in the leadership role is often shadowed behind the coat of armor that we refuse to take off or fail to acknowledge that we are hiding behind it. It is critical to embrace the warning signs before it consumes you, and your mental health is at risk. Accept that it is OK to not be OK! Do not allow the coat of armor to bring you down to your demise. Take it off and breathe! You are worth so much more to life than that!

It's important to be honest, super heroes can also have their weak moments and it's perfectly fine to shed a tear or two. So shed the bold brash exterior and accept that your feeling fatigued and stressed out. Don't neglect the signs that the body is giving you and seek professional help if needed, so that you can live to fight another day and return fresh and rejuvenated to continue the journey of professional and personal life.

People are usually in denial that they are experiencing burn out or just unable to see it. The symptoms will not be the same for everyone so make it hard to identify. Initially you might think you’re enjoying the challenge, and you might well be, but then it can shift into a drain on your energy. Listen to family and friends as they are more likely to spot a change in your behaviour. Watch out for negative changes in how you are feeling, behaving or reacting to situations, and remember that your body’s reaction is out of your control, so listen to the signs your body is showing. Manage your time well to make time for family and a social life. Take your holidays to recharge, and don’t work on holiday!

Algo que puedo compartir resumido en mis 5 A’s - Actividad deportiva mantener la maquinaria en óptimas condiciones - Agilidad mental, medita cuida tu mente pensamientos , atraes TODO - Alimentación es la fuente de energía, súmale las vitaminas que tú necesites - Amigos, la risa infalible para tener un corazón lleno - Ambiente , casa, trabajo, auto, zapatos, siempre será una extensión de ti, y no hay como el orden … el orden es amor

Burnout manifests in various ways, including physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and insomnia, as well as emotional and cognitive symptoms like irritability, cynicism, and difficulty concentrating. By being attuned to these signs, executives can intervene early and implement strategies to address the underlying causes of burnout. This might involve reassessing workloads, delegating tasks, or seeking additional support from colleagues or mentors.

Looking back I wish I’d been more aware of burnout. I spent too many years wearing too many hats without ever taking a step back to take stock of my life. It was all coffee and adrenaline for me. I recommend trying to find genuine balance in your life, without feeling guilty about it. We sometimes tend to think things will fall apart without us, but the truth is, we’re a lot more productive, and happier, when our lives are better balanced.

This is extremely important for having a balanced and full life. It doesn’t mean you can’t be flexible at times but that should be the exception not the rule. You will be far more efficient by managing your time effectively, planning your weeks and ensuring your time is being spent on the right areas. Use your calendar to block out time for activities you need to do, this will avoid people sticking meetings in your diary on the assumption you are available. It also ensures you spend time on the things you should be doing instead of being distracted by something or someone else. I colour code my calendar to easily see what my time is focused on eg different group companies, strategy, CPD, team related activities such as 1-2-1s etc.

Unfortunately, as Founders and Executives we often think the business won't go on without us. If we have conveyed the vision clearly, assembled the right team, and have good channels of communication and processes in place, it should be understood that we will need to step away on a regular basis. Having time away to enjoy other aspects of our lives allows us to be more creative and productive. We owe that to our teams and business!

Worst thing you could do when you have your own company is bringing your work home. It would look like something natural as you need to have too many things on mind, and at the end it is your responsability to have everything under control, but you need to stablish some limits and try not to bring these worries to your family. You need to have a secure space at home, and separate your world from your family time. If not, you're going to end up having no rest from work, and worrying your family with problems that they cannot control.

Brene Brown said it best: clear is kind. I think that’s the most important thing to keep in mind as you set effective boundaries, second only to starting with yourself. You decide your boundaries - no one else does. Be clear with yourself and you will be clearer with others. This involves setting priorities in place for your day, including breaks and times to recharge, and sticking to them. Keep the commitment to yourself first and you will be more likely to keep it when it’s challenged by extenuating circumstances or other situations outside of your control.

Incorporate software tools into your routine. Utilize popular project management tools like Trello or Asana for task organization and Jira for more complex projects. For time tracking, consider apps like Toggl or RescueTime. Explore stress management tools such as Welltory or Headspace for personalized strategies and mindfulness exercises.

Embrace digital detox periods, especially during non-working hours and weekends. While software tools are invaluable for efficiency, constant connectivity can lead to stress and burnout. Schedule specific times where you disconnect from all digital devices and emails. This practice not only prevents the blurring of work and personal life but also provides mental space for relaxation and reflection, essential for long-term productivity and creativity.

I've personally seen and had to reluctantly recognize that technology evolves as both stressors and stress relievers. As executives, we can harness software to streamline our workflows and track progress, making daunting tasks manageable. Project management tools help us organize tasks and deadlines, while time-tracking software offers insights into productivity. Moreover, stress management apps can be invaluable, helping us monitor stress levels, pinpoint triggers, and adapt with effective coping strategies.

Physical activity can help you release tension, improve your blood circulation, strengthen your immune system, and increase your endorphins. Eating a balanced diet can help you nourish your body, maintain your weight, prevent diseases, and regulate your blood sugar levels. Getting enough sleep restores your energy, repairs your tissues, consolidates your memories, and regulates your hormones. Meditation calms your mind, relaxes your body, reduces your stress, and increases your awareness and mindfulness. Relaxation helps you cope with stress, lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate, and relax your muscles. Connection helps you share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and receive and offer feedback, advice, and encouragement

Dedicating time for self-care is challenging because it seems counter-intuitive. It is easy to think if we spend an hour on self-care, that is one less hour we can dedicate to our team, company, or clients. The exact opposite is true. By spending one hour of our day to prioritize ourselves, we enable the best version of ourselves to show up which increases our impact and gives us even more time back.

From the lessons I have learned, self-care is vital, not a luxury. Make self-care a daily routine, treating yourself with kindness and compassion to optimize overall performance and well-being. Embrace relaxing or creative activities, and foster connections with friends and family.

Integrate micro-meditation sessions into your daily routine. These are brief, 3-5 minute periods of meditation, which can be done even during busy days. Utilize simple guided meditation apps that can be accessed from your phone or computer. These short sessions can significantly reduce stress levels, enhance focus, and improve overall emotional well-being, making them a practical self-care tool for busy executives.

Forget rigid schedules. Steal 15 minutes for a power nap in the supply closet. Replace tedious meetings with solo brainstorming walks. Claim "meditation breaks" to silence calls and stare out the window, letting your mind become a sky filled with fleeting ideas. Your productivity will thank you later, fueled by stolen moments of respite.

You are not the only one dealing with it. Always remember that. Reach out to those around you to learn more from them and see how you can be in a better phase. This shows that you are ready to work on yourself and become a better person.

Learn to ask for help without fear. look for professionals and hang out with groups of people who are working to get out of this problem. Ask friends to keep you observed by them

Create a "Mental Health First Aid" kit for the workplace. This can include resources like contact information for professional counselors, stress-relief tools (like stress balls or aromatherapy oils), and a list of activities known to reduce stress. Encourage your team to contribute to and utilize this kit. This not only provides immediate support options but also promotes an organizational culture that prioritizes mental well-being.

As executives, it is easy to feel like our situation or challenge is unique; however, it very rarely is. Seeking out peers across industries to discuss burnout can be extremely helpful as they can empathize with what you are going through and offer excellent tips and tricks they’ve used in the past to overcome this feeling.

Yes, I've realized the importance of not facing burnout alone. Colleagues, mentors, and coaches can offer invaluable support. Joining a network of executives provides a platform to share experiences and gain insights. Professional counseling or therapy can also be crucial when more guidance is needed. Seeking support reflects strength and resilience, not weakness, and is a vital step in managing the demanding responsibilities we face as executives.

Burnout in healthcare is a pandemic & affects all providers. As leaders, we need to address. Due to a massive shortage of healthcare providers in the US & the prevalence of HMO volume based plans, we are burning out our providers. Operations leadership is challenging to prevent this. We need to get super creative to staff & prevent burnout with our healthcare provider teams.

In my experience, combat burnout by realigning goals with personal and professional aspirations. Revisit your mission, celebrate achievements, and set SMART goals for renewed focus, motivation, and fulfillment.

Implement a quarterly personal review system, where you take time to reflect on your current professional path and personal fulfillment. This can involve asking yourself questions about your current job satisfaction, work-life balance, and personal growth. Adjust your goals based on these reflections. This regular self-assessment ensures that your goals remain aligned with your evolving personal and professional aspirations.

Remember why you started this journey? Before the spreadsheets and boardroom battles, there was a spark, a passion. Seek it out. Volunteer at a cause close to your heart. Hike that mountain you once dreamed of. Reconnect with the wild, unburdened version of yourself. Let the fresh air and purpose wash away the corporate grit, reminding you that your worth extends far beyond your title.

Burn-out is damaging and needs to be addressed as a priority. It is important for a leader to be self-aware and acknowledge when close to or actually burning out. Looking after your own mental and physical health is essential to perform at your best. Recharge yourself. Making this visible to your team is setting a good example for the team. Having a buddy at work is one of the best ways to exercise, share ideas-issues-concerns, look out for each other and help avoid burn-out.

True that.. there are very few bosses who can let go and truly empower the teams. They are the ones that people would line up to work for.

Delegate Like a Zen Master: You're not Atlas. Distribute tasks like sand mandalas, each grain finding its perfect place in the capable hands of your team. Trust them. Let go. Witness the intricate beauty of a shared workload, and watch your stress melt away like grains escaping your open palm.

From the lessons I have learned, acknowledging burnout is the first step. Executives should embrace a proactive approach, incorporating mindfulness practices, fostering a supportive work culture, and seeking professional guidance when needed. It's not just about managing stress but creating a sustainable and resilient leadership mindset.

Consider the role of creative outlets in managing stress. Engaging in a creative hobby, whether it's painting, writing, gardening, or any other form of creative expression, can be a powerful way to unwind and express oneself. These activities provide a mental break from work-related stress and stimulate different parts of the brain, leading to renewed energy and perspective when returning to work challenges.