Corporate mental health is more than a wellness program.
If I could scream this at the top of my lungs inside the biggest trade show exhibit hall, I would…
Mental health is just as important as your physical health.
I think we can all secretly nod our heads in agreement, right? But if we all believe that is true, why is it still a stigma inside a business environment to talk about your mental health? We have no issue chatting about the newest fad diet, weight loss initiative, or athletic goal in the office… so why are we so nervous to talk about what we do to maintain a sense of mental health?
I believe it’s because in the lens of a business community, it is so ingrained in us that if you have a moment of less-than-optimal mental health, then you are looked at as crazy, weak, unfit to handle stress, and slotted never to succeed. I mean…Why would my boss give me a promotion or more responsibility if he/she thinks I am struggling, right? But we don’t have that same fear when we eat a box of cookies late at night (….never done this :) ), when we skip the gym for a month (again, never done this :) ) …or when we travel to back to back at conferences and are encouraged to eat steak dinners with copious amounts of wine into the wee hours of the morning (..no comment). Hmmm… odd right?
It’s time we change our thinking. And I believe as leaders in business, it’s our responsibility to lead by example. Simply telling your team “Our organization believes in mental health,” then throwing them a wellness benefits plan is no longer cutting it.
Hollow words are not going to do the trick when we are trying to break a century old stigma.
Teams need to feel that your workplace is a safe space to grow, evolve, struggle at times, and overcome it all the while still being a valued part of the team… and the only way they will feel that safety is if their leadership is paving the way. We are all humans. We aren’t robots. We need to embrace that fact instead of hide from it.
In this weeks Tidbits w. Tracy episode, I interviewed Nita Batta who owns a Business Coaching and Therapy practice. We talk in detail about how you can’t show up for your team wholly if you yourself are struggling with your own mental health. If you are burnt out, exhausted, uninspired as a leader, chances are your team will see that and feel the same. Misery doesn’t always love company in a business environment. And furthermore, mental health routines look different for everyone.. as Nita says “It doesn’t have to be glamorous.” She tells us that simply getting enough sleep, or hydrating during the day can be an act of health.
So to lead by example…what do I do for my own mental health?
1) I make sure I start my mornings in gratitude and silence, no exception. I journal, I meditate.
2) I make sure I walk outside every day. Fresh air and movement always relieves stress for me and sparks creativity.
3) I go to therapy to have a neutral sounding board for all things stress in business and in life. That way I can walk away with goals, personal growth, and support during the times when business weighs heavily on my shoulders.
4) I treat myself to dates! I love taking myself out to lunch to work and get a change of scenery while I tackle tasks.
5) Yoga and Pilates- Daily movement is key to my balance
6) Lastly- I give myself grace when I need extra rest. (Candidly, this is a work in progress) Instead of feeling guilty, lazy, or unproductive, I try to remind myself that I can’t do my best work when I am overly exhausted and that rest isn’t weakness…its fundamental.
As Nita mentions in our interview, after all that we have gone through the last few years, we have all learned that we have to live in the present, not the future. Celebrate the now. Celebrate your team members who have found their own tricks to keep a healthy mental state during stressful times. And encourage your team mates when they need a little extra support. We are all human. Even CEOs. It’s time we act like it.