Self-Care is Essential: Don't Let Anyone Tell You Otherwise

Written by Marly Difruscio

By 2030, the World Health Organisation forecasts that the largest health risk on the planet will be depression, not obesity. Let that sink in. Depression is the most common mental disorder in the world and affects an estimated 5% of adults globally. Why is this an important statistic to think about? In the fast-paced world of leadership, the demands are relentless and the pressure is unending. As an executive, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibilities, deadlines, and high-stakes decisions. The looming burnout that comes with overextending yourself can eventually lead to bigger issues, like depression or anxiety. Burnout comes directly from neglecting self-care.

Neglecting self-care can have detrimental consequences for your personal well-being and your effectiveness as a leader. With that trickle-down effect, you can actually decrease the effectiveness, innovation, and productivity of your team and even the organization by up to 25%

Here are the top 5 reasons why self-care is essential for executive leaders:

1. Mental and Emotional Resilience: According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of adults regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. Self-care practices can help build mental and emotional resilience, enabling you to stay calm under pressure and make better decisions.

2. Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving: Stress and burnout affect and impair creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovation in leaders. Giving yourself the opportunity for self-care will allow you to recharge creative batteries, stimulate fresh ideas, and improve your ability to problem-solve.

3. Improved Overall Health: When stress and burnout take the forefront of a leader’s mind, they are more likely to forget to take care of themselves in a healthy way. This can lead to poor sleep, increased headaches and fatigue, poor nutrition and more, all of which will affect how effective you are as a leader. Self-care in the form of adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a good diet are all measures you can take to keep yourself healthy

4. Better Decision-Making: Revisiting sleep – stress-related sleep issues affect about 43% of adults, according to the American Psychological Association. Self-care routines promoting mental clarity, “winding down from the day”, and unplugging can give you the opportunity to get better sleep and enhance your ability to make strategic decisions.

5. Enhanced Leadership Skills: Gallup found that 70% of employee engagement is influenced by their manager's behavior. Prioritizing self-care not only benefits your well-being but also sets an example for your team, creating a healthier, more productive work environment.

Self-care isn't a luxury for leaders; it's a necessity. These statistics underscore the real impact of self-care on leadership effectiveness and overall well-being. By making self-care a priority, you equip yourself to navigate the challenges of leadership with grace and resilience, setting the stage for your personal success and that of your team and organization. Embrace self-care as an essential part of your leadership toolkit and witness the transformative benefits it brings to your role and life.