Dealing with stress and anxiety

The weight of being a leader is often underestimated. It's easy to get lost in the tasks at hand and forget about your well-being. But as someone whose every decision and action has an impact on countless others, it's essential to be mindful of your mental and emotional state. I learned this the hard way when I found myself succumbing to workplace stress and anxiety. It wasn't just the workload that was overwhelming me, but also countless other factors that I had ignored.

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Positivity is the way to go

It is not an easy task to be a leader whose positive outlook and relaxed demeanor will influence many others. A Deloitte survey suggests that almost 7 out of 10 C-suite executives are willing to leave their jobs for the sake of their well-being. The pressure to perform well while still considering the needs and demands of those working for us can make decision-making feel like an insurmountable task.

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But it's not just external factors that contribute to stress and anxiety; personal habits and perceptions regarding leadership also play a role.

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To bring about the change in habits at an atomic level, the workforce must spend some time to self-reflect and figure out their triggers.

Pay attention to your inner self

One of the most crucial things that employees must do is pay attention to their inner selves. Apart from all the fatigue and exhaustion we feel from being in a constant state of stress, various other signs induced by stress often go ignored.

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To avoid neglecting ourselves, we must be mindful and considerate of the changes we observe within and around us. It will not only help us to keep tabs on our mental state but will also prevent the detrimental impact of stress and anxiety.

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Do not hesitate to ask for help

Leaders and employees alike often overlook the option of seeking assistance. Most of the time, they fear being vulnerable. However, they must understand their boundaries as humans.

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Seeking help encourages the workforce to normalize a culture that prioritizes mental health. A study by the Workforce Institute suggests that 70% of employees desired greater efforts from their managers to support their mental health. The employees expressed the need for greater empathy and understanding from their managers regarding their mental health concerns.

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This highlights the importance of managers and leaders in creating a psychologically safe work environment and supporting the well-being of their employees. By prioritizing mental health support and creating a culture of acceptance, a positive work environment is promoted.

Take a break

Taking a break is another essential aspect of self-care that people often overlook.

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Although a traditional method, nature retreats are a proven solution for clearing psychological blocks and mental fog. ?Potential Project’s Fall 2022: Fifth Edition study suggests that taking a break and stepping away from work can provide a chance to unwind and enter a more relaxed state.

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This shift in environment and mindset can help reduce distractions and improve focus. In addition to that, it also allows for introspection and the opportunity to mindfully reassess and resolve issues and conflicts.

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Given the isolation that stress and anxiety can create, it is even more important for the workforce to focus on their well-being before attempting to help others.

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This is why creating a healthy and psychologically safe work environment will not only help reduce stress and anxiety but will also ensure cohesiveness within the entire team.