How Managers Can Take Care of Their Well-Being

Although rank-and-file employees face many challenges, managers face a unique set. In addition to experiencing the same stressors as their teams, managers also have increased responsibilities and less support.

As evidenced by the Leapsome 2024 Workforce Trends Report, managers’ workloads have increased by 71% over the past year. In turn, 60% of managers feel more overwhelmed now than they did a year ago. Moreover, 50% report deteriorating mental health.

This report adds to the mounting evidence that managers are facing significant challenges. For organizations, this is a critical issue that cannot be ignored. As managers substantially impact a company’s engagement, their well-being is paramount.

Here is why managers must prioritize mental health and provide practical steps to set a positive example for their teams.

Why Your Well-Being Matters

Managers have a lot on their plates. Leaders are often responsible for leading their teams through challenges, meeting deadlines, and handling conflicts. While all this is part of the job, if you’re not mindful of your own needs, it can affect your mental health. To think about it another way, ask yourself how you can lead effectively while you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed. As a leader, your well-being is more than just a personal concern.

As such, prioritizing your own health, both physically and mentally, creates a ripple effect throughout your team. When you demonstrate a balanced approach to work and life, your employees will be inspired to do the same. Additionally, a healthier leader leads to a more focused, motivated, and productive team.

In a nutshell, when you’re at your best, you can lead others to their best.

Be Proactive About Burnout

Everyone is susceptible to burnout, regardless of occupation. Despite this, Gallup’s research suggests managers are more likely to experience burnout than the people they manage. Why? Burnout may occur because of the demands of a managerial position.

To effectively combat burnout, organizations must address the well-being of both managers and employees. This includes educating leaders about burnout, fostering open communication, prioritizing employee well-being, and reducing workload. Thriving workplaces are necessary.

How to deal with manager burnout;

• Educate leaders. Managers should know about burnout, its signs, and prevention strategies.
• Encourage feedback. Provide open channels for all team members to express their concerns and experiences.
• Foster a culture of support. Create a work environment that values and discusses mental health openly.
• Prioritize employee well-being. Promote healthy habits and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Additionally, model a work-life balance.
• Reduce workload. Encourage rest, implement supportive policies, and delegate effectively.
• Address manager burnout. Determine the risk and provide specific resources and strategies to mitigate it.

Organizations can use these strategies to create a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. Both managers and employees must be involved in the prevention process to prevent burnout.

Set Work-Life Balance Goals

Setting clear goals for work-life balance can help you stay grounded and guided throughout the day. To accomplish this process, you must identify what’s important and break down larger goals into manageable chunks.

To help you set well-being goals, follow these steps:

• Identify areas that require improvement. Take a moment to consider where you feel your life is out of balance. Do you feel exhausted all the time? Have you worked too much and spent too little time with your family? The following signs should be taken into consideration.
• Establish long-term goals. As soon as you have identified the areas needing attention, you should set overarching goals for each. If you want to feel more energized, improve your sleep, diet, and exercise routine.
• Break down your goals into specific actions. It can be difficult to achieve big goals. As such, organize them into smaller, more manageable tasks. If your long-term goal is to be more active, start by walking 30 minutes three times a week. Likewise, you should aim to cook three meals a week or attend yoga classes once per week.

By making these small changes, you’ll improve your health and well-being. This will, in turn, enhance your leadership skills and set a good example for your team.

Boundaries: A Blueprint for Balanced Well-being

Nowadays, with remote work and flexible schedules, the line between work and personal life can often blur. However, setting clear boundaries is vital for maintaining a healthy balance and preventing burnout, along with the following;

• An improved sense of well-being. By setting boundaries, you can recharge and reduce stress.
• Enhanced productivity. The more rested and focused you are, the more productive and effective you are at work.
• An improved team culture. When you set boundaries, you demonstrate the importance of work-life balance to your team.

How to create boundaries;

The following tips will help you create and maintain boundaries:

• Establish your working hours. Decide when you will be available to work and set clear boundaries. You should let your team know your working hours and when you will be unavailable. The easiest way to do this is by sharing your calendar with them.
• Prioritize breaks. Schedule regular breaks throughout your workday. Even short breaks can help you stay focused and refreshed.
• Be clear about your expectations. Your team should know what you expect from them regarding work-life balance. It is also important to encourage them to set boundaries.
• Lead by example. Your actions speak louder than your words. Prioritizing your own well-being as a leader shows your team how important boundaries are.

Remember, setting boundaries in your professional and personal life isn’t about being selfish. Instead, it’s about giving your all.

Master Your Calendar

If you are a manager, your calendar likely dictates your daily schedule. Sadly, many leaders overbook themselves and neglect to take care of themselves.

The good news? Managing your calendar strategically will help you achieve a more balanced life.

Prioritize personal time.

• Schedule self-care. Schedule time for social gatherings, workouts, or hobbies. Treat these tasks as equally important as your work.
• Be intentional. In order to ensure that these activities take place, plan them in advance.

Optimize your work time;

• Time-blocking. Determine when you are most productive and schedule demanding tasks accordingly.
• Task management. Group similar tasks or projects through batching to streamline your workflow.

Incorporate breaks;

• Try out the Pomodoro Technique. This time management method involves breaking your work into 25-minute intervals called Pomodoros. After each Pomodoros, you take a short rest and recharge period of about 5 minutes. After completing four Pomodoros, you take a longer break, usually around 15 to 30 minutes, to allow your mind to recover.
• Recharge. Take advantage of these breaks to stretch, eat, or simply relax.

The ability to manage your time intentionally can benefit you and your team, as well as allow you to achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Crafting a Balanced Routine: Morning and Evening

Having a well-structured daily routine can significantly improve your overall health. So, let’s discuss how to create a productive and balanced day by developing morning and evening routines.

Start your day off right with a productive morning routine.

Starting your day right can significantly affect how you feel and how much energy you have throughout the day. You might consider incorporating the following elements into your morning routine;

• Start small. Don’t overwhelm yourself by making drastic changes at once. For instance, if you find it difficult to wake up 15 minutes earlier, gradually increase the time as you become accustomed to it.
• Choose activities that have an impact. Choose activities that promote well-being and align with your goals. Meditation, exercise, or a healthy breakfast can boost your focus and energy.

A restful evening routine.

Having a relaxing evening routine can also be beneficial to prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Here are some tips to consider:

• Log off at a specific time. You should have a particular time to disconnect from work and minimize distractions.
• Incorporate relaxation activities into your daily routine. Take part in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, such as reading, spending time with loved ones, or practicing mindfulness.

Establishing a balanced morning and evening routine can increase productivity, achieve a higher level of well-being, and make you more effective as a leader.

Manage Your Stress

Managers often have to juggle a wide range of responsibilities. It is possible, however, to significantly improve your effectiveness and well-being by implementing simple stress management techniques. The following are a few strategies to think about;

• Take note of the physical signs. Look for physical symptoms of stress, such as aches and pains, fatigue, disturbed sleep, high blood pressure, muscle tension, or digestive problems.
• Develop a strong network of support. You can seek emotional and social support from friends, family, colleagues, or a mental health professional. Having a strong support system can help you cope better with stressful situations.
• Reduce stigma. By sharing your personal experiences with mental health challenges, workplace stigma can be reduced. You can create a more supportive work environment by being open with your employees.
• Prioritize your physical health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can enhance your emotional well-being. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and exercise regularly.
• Be aware of your emotional state. Identify the root causes of your stress and anxiety. You can develop appropriate coping strategies by identifying your emotions and assessing the situation.

Incorporating these strategies into your daily routine can improve the quality of your life and help you manage stress better.

Stay Connected, Avoid Isolation

The rise of remote and hybrid work may make managers feel disconnected from their teams. In order to maintain strong relationships and foster a supportive work environment, regular communication is essential. To stay in touch, follow these steps;

• Maintain regular check-ins. Schedule one-on-one meetings with your team members. During these check-ins, you can discuss both professional and personal issues.
• Build a culture of support. Encourage employees to share their thoughts, challenges, and successes in a safe environment. The more open and vulnerable you are, the more likely others will do the same.

Staying connected will strengthen your relationships with your team and make your workplace more positive and productive.

Conclusion

As a manager, your well-being is a necessity, not a luxury. You can lead with clarity, energy, and empathy by prioritizing your mental and emotional health. In addition to improving your well-being, you can also inspire your team to do the same by setting boundaries, establishing routines, and staying connected.

By taking care of yourself, you set the foundation for a workplace where people are healthier, happier, and more productive.

Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio; Pexels