Life can get overwhelming, on and off the job! Managing stress is important…especially when you’re a leader. The people looking up to you and relying on you deserve and expect their leader to have above average abilities to manage stress. Of course, you’re not superhuman so it’s important to realize that you can’t avoid stress and you aren’t bulletproof. That means you’ll need outlets for stress so you can manage it.
There are lots of ways to manage stress that aren’t ideal:
- Eating too much or too little
- Drinking
- Raging
- Running away
These stress-relievers won’t do you any favors and won’t keep your leadership status for very long. Reacting to stress in maladaptive ways only leads to conflict which adds to the stress you’re already under. Instead, focus on healthy outlets for stress so you can thrive in the midst of chaos.
There are lots of ways to manage stress that are ideal:
- Physical exercise
- Having mentors and confidants
- Hobbies
- Self-care
These stress-relievers will help you stay fresh and be better able to manage conflict, stress, and the burdensome requirements expected of leaders. Here’s how—
Physical fitness combats stress- Physical exertion releases chemicals in the brain that help manage stress. Dopamine helps manage mood which can regulate how well you manage difficult situations. Physical fitness is great as a remedy to release anger or other overwhelming feelings, but it’s also a great preventative activity too. Making physical fitness part of your regular routine will keep your blood pressure down, give you more stamina, and a regular healthy outlet to process stress.
Mentors and confidants combat stress- Leaders need leaders in their lives. Having mentors and confidants can help leaders process stressful situations and find solutions to delicate issues. Leaders need people who are confidential and wise to help them make sound decisions and work through tough issues.
Hobbies combat stress- Having an outlet for creativity helps reduce stress. There’s no denying stress is part of life, especially for leaders, but having something to do off-duty that is fun and personally satisfying can disengage the brain from critical thinking to creative thinking which can alleviate stress and help the mind find peace.
Self-care combats stress- Taking care of yourself is vital. Whatever that looks like for you, it’s important to schedule self-care into your calendar to alleviate stress and have healthy outlets. From monthly massage to mini-vacation get-a-ways, taking care of yourself reduces stress and rejuvenates you so you can take on tough leadership situations.
Stress is going to come whether you like it or not. How you handle it could make or break your leadership experience. Focus on healthy ways to combat stress and raise your emotional EQ as a leader.
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