In an environment where C-suite executives face declining profits and attritional customer behaviour, they face significant mental pressure, as shareholders are not interested in excuses, only performance.
Mental health is a significant aspect that professionals need to pay attention to. I recently read an article on the Forbes website focusing on coping mechanisms.
Better regulation of your mood
The article points out that stress is a part of life, especially for CEOs who are expected to consistently perform under pressure and meet high expectations. However, excessive stress left unaddressed over the long term can lead to burnout, making it difficult for leaders to handle the various responsibilities of their role effectively. High levels of stress and burnout can cause mood fluctuations, anxiety, and even depression.
Exposure to natural environments can buffer against stress and anxiety. A 2021 Journal of Happiness and Health study found that nature positively impacts mental health, serving as a peaceful and emotional sanctuary. Additionally, nature can help manage emotions such as irritability and loneliness, which many CEOs experience.
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An opportunity to escape and unwind
The article adds that our increasingly digital world makes it harder to “turn off.” Remote workers and CEOs are more glued to their devices, leading to “technostress.” Operating in an “always on” culture increases digital overload and attention residue—the accumulative cognitive cost of shifting from one task to another. Combined with leadership pressures, this additionally leads to mental fatigue.
Nature can serve as a refuge to unplug from the digital world by providing a therapeutic environment, allowing CEOs to recharge and unwind. Being in nature helps you turn off the incessant mental chatter and ruminations. While CEOs often bring their work everywhere, not all tasks benefit from constant attention. Nature provides a setting for restoration and to turn off the part of your mind that readily becomes fatigued.
Improved concentration and innovation
The article points out that driving strategy, growth, and innovation requires clear thinking. However, constant distractions and digital connectivity can hinder your concentration. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found that transitioning from a hectic environment to a green space decreased frustration and led to a more meditative state, thus increasing creativity and innovation.
A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that the outdoors boosts creativity and innovation, even if only for a short mental break. However, more significant contact with natural settings leads to even higher levels of creative thinking. As a CEO, finding time for nature might seem challenging or inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be. The ideal approach is to integrate nature into your existing routines. Here are a few suggestions:
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- Substitute your virtual calls and walk outside instead when applicable.
- Opt for company retreats in natural settings.
- Engage in physical activities in nature.
The article points out that committing to a weekly dose of nature can help you become a healthier, more creative, calmer, and emotionally intelligent leader, ultimately making you a more effective CEO.
No signs of improvement
Many C-Suite professionals are facing mental breakdowns and are questioning their future in an environment that is showing no signs of improvement. Should we start turning to mental health bootcamps?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out going forward.
The Mystery Practitioner is an industry commentator focusing on the shifting dynamics and innovative thinking that BRPs and turnaround professionals must embrace to achieve business success.
