Leadership can be extremely stressful. Its’s simply the nature of the job. In fact, stress management is one of the top issues facing leaders today. Here are some easy yet effective steps to help you manage stress:
Unplug. It may seem almost unthinkable, but you don’t have to be available 24 hours a day for 7 days a week. Try to block out time each day when you don’t need to answer phone calls or look at emails. Designate specific times for yourself and stick to them. And don’t skip vacations. Not only should you use your vacation time to unplug, but you should encourage your employees to do so, too.
Get moving. Are you exercising? Even if you get your body moving for as little as 10 minutes a day, that can help manage stress. Most of the nation’s most successful executives exercise daily.
Play. You? Sure, it sounds strange, but a regular round of golf with friends or even a silly game with the kids can go a long way to reducing stress. Life shouldn’t be all about work and no play.
Sleep. Get enough sleep. Research shows that getting less than eight hours of sleep each night can amplify the effects of stress.