Permanent and irreparable solutions start to seem logical<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIn the best-case scenario, you end up in survival mode and not \u201cthrival\u201d mode.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many people, especially leaders, push through these emotions. Conditioned to be \u201cstrong,\u201d they compartmentalize and delay, which can work \u2014 until it doesn\u2019t. This strategy doesn\u2019t eliminate the problem; it actually builds it brick by brick. Over time, it becomes harder to unwind the damage that has been done, exacerbating recovery times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The better approach is a proactive one that seeks to maintain a healthy baseline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5 strategies that have helped me<\/h2>\n
Maintaining your mental health is a constantly moving puzzle. There is no cure-all. But there are strategies that can help. The following is a non-exhaustive list that has helped me. Please note, I\u2019m not a doctor, and this is not professional health advice. It\u2019s merely the result of trial and error over time.<\/p>\n
1. Build non-negotiable structure<\/strong><\/p>\nUnstructured time can lead to stress, anxiety, distraction and a lack of production. When your day lacks clarity, the gaps get filled with noise and unnecessary emotion. Creating structure can help resolve these issues. Some things I do include:<\/p>\n
\n- Starting my day at the same time every working day and making sure I sleep more when it\u2019s a non-working day<\/li>\n
- Creating a daily routine that includes both eating routines and exercise<\/li>\n
- Limiting my unnecessary meetings and calls as much as possible \u2014 there is little that\u2019s worse than a pointless and elongated Zoom<\/li>\n
- Taking vacations and not feeling guilty about it<\/li>\n
- Creating checklists for what I want to accomplish in a day \u2014 with this one, remember that if you accomplish one thing every day, that\u2019s 365 new accomplishments for the year. It\u2019s a marathon, not a sprint.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Structure can reduce your cognitive load and make you feel far more in control of the situation. It does for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. Control unnecessary inputs<\/strong><\/p>\nThis one is simple. What you put in is often what you get out.<\/p>\n
Limit the attention you pay to superfluous social media \u2014 I don\u2019t do Facebook or TikTok. I don\u2019t post to Instagram, but my algorithm is now set to the point where it\u2019s almost all humorous. So maybe I\u2019ll use it to laugh for a few minutes a day. Otherwise, LinkedIn is the only social media environment that I live in.<\/p>\n
Avoid negative people and conversations.\u00a0 They don\u2019t solve anything.<\/p>\n
You should also void constant notifications \u2014 turn off the Apple Watch or Garmin pings. You\u2019ll get to the information when you need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3. Get out and move<\/strong><\/p>\nThis one is 100% non-negotiable. If you want to stay mentally healthy, stay physically healthy. It can be as intense or relaxing as you see fit. But get out and move. For me, when I bike and play hockey, those are the only two times my mind is completely clear of the clutter and noise. The key is consistency. Movement resets your baseline. But also make sure this doesn\u2019t become an unhealthy obsession.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
4. Create coping strategies that fit you<\/strong><\/p>\nI obsessively tried meditation and breathing exercises. They drove me insane and contributed to, rather than lessened, my stress. Mindfulness apps were worse. Interestingly, I found steam showers work well for me. But that doesn\u2019t mean meditation and breathing won\u2019t work for you. Find your strategies and stick to them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
5. Find, discern and prioritize positive relationships<\/strong><\/p>\nMental health doesn\u2019t live in isolation. It\u2019s inextricably tied to connection and relationships. But not all relationships are positive, which means expanding your network endlessly is not necessarily the solution. In fact, it can often mean contracting your network and limiting it to those who have proven to you they will be there when it matters. <\/p>\n
A simple rule of thumb I use: \u201cIf I were in real trouble, would I call this person and would they show up?\u201d If the answer is yes, that\u2019s a real, positive relationship. If the answer is no, are they just sapping unnecessary emotional bandwidth?<\/p>\n
A note on seeking help<\/h2>\n
Mental illness is \u201cillness.\u201d You would see a doctor if you were ill. There is no compromise here. If you need help, ask for and get it. Drop the stigma. You wouldn\u2019t \u201ctough out\u201d a serious sickness.<\/p>\n
Mental health is not a short-term project. It\u2019s an ongoing discipline. You don\u2019t \u201csolve\u201d it. You maintain it.<\/p>\n
And like any discipline, it compounds. Small, consistent actions lead to meaningful long-term outcomes. The inverse is also true. Happy Mental Health Awareness Month.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n