Take Good Care.
This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.
Shortly after Elon Musk took over Twitter last November, he sent a memo to all staff demanding that they pledge to work "long hours at high intensity." For those who chose not to take the pledge, they’d be given three months’ severance.
Well, that’s one way to run a company.
While few of us have experienced a boss quite like Musk, I suspect most of us know what it feels like to work in a mentally unhealthy workplace. I remember exactly what it felt like to work in such a place, early in my career. A few weeks of listening to screaming matches between the co-owners was enough for me. I quit that job within my first month without having another job lined up. I had seen enough and knew I needed to leave.
I’ve never looked back.
And while I don’t look back, I do think back to the way that workplace made me feel. Over the years, I’ve used it as a proxy for the leader I strive to be and the workplace culture I strive to foster, even on the most challenging days. I’m far from infallible. I’ve lost my temper with colleagues. I have been connected to my computer far too late into the night. I’ve let work get the better of me.
I suspect you’ve had moments like this, too, when the weight of work feels so heavy that you start to buckle.
Those moments each remind me that being a leader means leading by example. And when it comes to establishing a mentally healthy workplace, we can start by modeling it, even on the most challenging days.
According to recent Mental Health America research, 80 percent of employees agree that stress from work affects their relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. Seventy-one percent of employees find it difficult to concentrate at work, compared to 65% in 2021 and 46% in 2018. And 8 in 10 prospective job seekers told the American Psychological Association that employer support for mental health is an important consideration when evaluating job opportunities.
With every new day, we have an opportunity to start anew. And as we kick off Mental Health Month 2023, during what may feel like one of the most overwhelming seasons of life, I’m setting a very different kind of pledge from the one Elon Musk outlined: a pledge to be present in my environment and in my actions. To lead by example by taking good care of my mental health.
Here are some actions I plan to take, and I invite you to join me:
I Pledge At Least Three Hours of Healthy Activity Per Week. Set aside three hours of each workweek to actively care for your health. Take a Zoom meeting or two off-camera, open a window to let in some fresh air, schedule a yoga session or walk with a colleague, check in with a therapist, or block social media for certain hours every day. Whatever you choose, schedule it, and protect that time.
I Pledge to Take a Wellness Check-Up. If you’re concerned about your mental health, explore the Mental Health America free screening test. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. The free, confidential test will direct you to resources supporting your well-being.
I Pledge to Get Some Rest. A good night’s sleep can do wonders for our health. If you’re not getting ample sleep, try creating a nighttime ritual that allows you to turn off at the end of each day, calm your mind and allow yourself the time needed to recharge.
I Pledge to Be Mindful of My Moments. Whether a mid-day meditation or a minute of deep breathing, focus on practicing mindfulness every day and each week to center and regroup.
I Pledge to Hydrate and Nourish. Fueling our body and mind for success means taking actual breaks for meals, stepping away from technology during mealtime, and drinking ample water throughout the day.
I Pledge to Connect Offline. While we might spend the majority of our days at work, our days are more than our work. This month, pledge to book some low-tech meet-ups with friends, colleagues, partners, and family to rekindle joy away from your work.
If you plan to take some or all of this pledge in May, then respond to this note with "I'm in," and I'll know to check in on you throughout the month.
Bottom line: When it comes to mental health in the workplace, putting people first will always be a winning strategy. Just don’t forget to include yourself among those people.
This post is part of the Finding The Words column, a series published every Wednesday that delivers a dose of communication insights direct to your inbox. If you like what you read, we hope you’ll subscribe to ensure you receive this each week.
