Being a manager is no walk in the park. You’re expected to meet your targets, make sure everyone’s happy, and, yeah, somehow look after your own mental health. It’s like juggling too many things at once, but if you don’t take care of yourself, everything can get affected including your team.
While managers are often expected to look out for their team’s health, it is equally important to focus on their own.
In this blog, you will learn how you can manage your well-being while leading others.
Recognize the Pressure
Let’s be real, being a manager can be overwhelming. The first step is to acknowledge the pressure that comes with your role. This is not a sign of weakness but of awareness. Once you understand where the stress is coming from you can take steps to tackle it.
Set Boundaries and Set an Example
Your team is watching you. If you’re glued to your screen at midnight or skipping holidays, they’ll think this is normal. Set boundaries! Log out when you need to and relax on holidays.
This not only keeps you grounded but also sends a message: It’s important to take care of yourself.
Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do it all. One of the biggest traps managers fall into is trying to micromanage every little thing, this can be exhausting. Trust your team. They’re capable, and delegating isn’t about giving up control, it’s about letting go of unnecessary stress.
This will make you feel lighter and also encourage your team to take ownership.
Mental Health Check-Ins
While regular check-ins with your team is important, don’t forget to check in with yourself.
Don’t wait until you’re burnt out to realize something’s wrong. Take a moment regularly to ask yourself how you’re doing. It can be as simple as journaling or taking a few minutes to reflect on how you’re feeling.
Practice Compassion
Managers often hold themselves to high standards. You want to be the best leader possible, meet every goal, and ensure your team’s success. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Be kind to yourself, especially when things get tough.
You’re not a superhuman (well, maybe a little), and it’s okay to not be perfect all the time. Compassion towards yourself helps you stay strong when things get tough.
Seek Support
Managers often feel the need to be the “strongest” for their teams, which can lead to stress. But seeking support doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger.
Whether it’s talking to a mentor or even seeking professional help, it’s important to have a support system in place.
The Bottom Line
Managing your mental health isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity even if you are a manager. Creating a supportive work place starts with understanding the basics of how to improve mental health in the workplace.
Saksham can help! It offers resources for stress management, mood tracking, and self-help tools. Download now.