Wellbeing tips for executive women
Being a busy executive, a mom and a woman is not easy and it can lead to a lot of stress, pain and anxiety in daily life.
That’s why mastering the art of personal wellbeing isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential to not only survive but thrive in your high-powered role. Okay, but how do you maintain your wellbeing as a busy executive these days?
Start your day right
If your day gets off to a good start, then more often than not, the rest of the day will flow well for you and things will be a lot easier as the hours go on. So, it is completely fair to say that how you start your morning can set the tone for the hours that follow, influencing both your professional effectiveness and your personal joy.
Morning meditation
Begin your day well by giving your mind the same attention you give your emails. Meditation, even for just 10 minutes each morning, can significantly clear mental clutter and reduce stress levels.
Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided meditations that can help ease you into your day, focusing your mind and aligning your intent. Think of it as a pre-meeting warm-up for your brain, ensuring you’re in top mental shape to tackle the challenges ahead.
Power breakfast
If you’re smart, you will never, and I mean never ever, underestimate the power of a proper breakfast in your life. No matter how busy you are, be sure to skip the sugary pastries that leave you crashing before lunch.
Opt instead for brain food that fuels both your body and mind. A smoothie loaded with blueberries, spinach, and a scoop of protein, or a bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts and seeds, can provide sustained energy and enhance cognitive function. Remember, a well-fueled body makes for a sharp, decisive mind, turning you into the powerhouse you need to be at that morning meeting.
Effective stress management strategies
Stress comes with the territory in executive roles, but managing it doesn’t have to be a Herculean task. Implementing effective stress-relief methods into your daily routine can significantly mitigate its impacts.
Mindfulness practices
Integrate mindfulness into your daily routine to manage stress effectively. This can be as simple as taking a five-minute pause between meetings to refocus, or practicing mindful breathing during a stressful commute. By allowing yourself moments of mindfulness, you actively reduce cortisol levels, aiding in stress management and maintaining clarity of thought.
Regular exercise
You might not want to hear this right now, but physical activity is a known stress buster, and fitting it into a busy schedule is less about duration and more about regularity, so you can totally get it done. Whether it’s a morning yoga session, a midday walk, or a post-work spin class, regular exercise helps release endorphins, your body’s natural mood lifters. This not only helps alleviate stress but also boosts your overall energy levels, making you more resilient both physically and mentally.
Optimise your work environment
Your workspace can significantly influence your productivity and stress levels. Creating an environment that fosters concentration and comfort is crucial for long-term success and wellbeing.
Ergonomic workspace
Invest in an ergonomic setup. A chair that supports your posture, a desk at the right height, and computer screens that don’t strain your eyes are fundamental. It’s not just about comfort—it’s about preventing the long-term physical ailments that can arise from poor posture and repetitive strain.
Personalise your space
Make your workspace your own. Personal touches like photos, plants, or a favourite piece of art can transform your desk from a cold, impersonal surface into a place of inspiration and motivation. These small elements can make significant differences in how you perceive your work environment and, by extension, how you feel throughout the day.
Master time management
For executive women, time is often at a premium. Mastering the art of time management isn’t just about squeezing more hours out of the day; it’s about making each hour count more effectively.
Learn prioritisation techniques
Adopt prioritisation techniques like the Eisenhower Box or the Pareto Principle (the 80/20 rule). These methods help you distinguish between what is urgent and what is important, allowing you to focus on tasks that significantly impact your goals and wellbeing. It’s about working smarter, not harder, which can decrease stress levels and prevent burnout.
Acquire delegation skills
Delegation is an art. Identifying tasks that others can handle not only frees up your schedule but also empowers your team. Effective delegation involves clear communication about expectations and deadlines, and trust in your team’s abilities. This not only streamlines workflows but also builds a supportive work culture that values growth and teamwork.
Skincare and relaxation
With the relentless pace of executive life, taking time for skincare and relaxation might seem like a luxury, but it’s an essential part of maintaining your overall health and confidence.
CBD balms
Incorporate Naturecan’s CBD balms into your relaxation and skincare routine. CBD has been recognized for its potential to reduce inflammation and help soothe stress and anxiety. A nightly routine using CBD balm can help relax muscle tension, rejuvenate your skin, and prepare you for a restful sleep, while also dealing with those desk-based aches and pains, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
Regular skincare routine
Maintain a regular skincare routine that protects and nourishes your skin. This isn’t just about beauty; it’s about health. Skin is your body’s largest organ, and taking care of it with proper cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection can ward off signs of stress and aging. Plus, the routine itself can be a soothing ritual that helps wind down your busy day.
Stay connected
Building a robust support network is crucial for personal and professional success. Being an executive can sometimes feel isolating, but you don’t have to go it alone.
Building a support network
Cultivate a network of peers, mentors, and friends who understand the unique pressures and challenges of your role. This network can provide advice, support, and a much-needed outlet for stress. Regular meetups or even online chats can keep this vital emotional support system strong.
Work-life balance
Strive for a realistic work-life balance. This might mean setting boundaries around work hours or making time for family and hobbies. Remember, taking time off for personal life isn’t a detour from your professional path; it’s part of the journey that keeps you grounded and whole.
Regular health check-ups
Maintaining an executive role means staying on top of your game, and regular health check-ups are non-negotiable.
Importance of regular screenings
Schedule and keep regular health screenings. Preventative care can catch potential health issues before they become severe, impacting not just your health but your ability to lead effectively.
Mental health check-ins
Mental health is a really important part of your overall wellbeing, so it is a good idea to check in with a therapist on a regular basis, just so you can get that troublesome stuff out of your head and learn how to be ever more resilient in all you do, right?
Invest in continuous learning
In the fast-paced world of business, staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and skills is crucial. It’s not just about keeping your company competitive; it’s about nurturing your personal growth and staying mentally sharp.
Personal development
Dedicate time each week to personal development. Whether it’s reading industry-related articles, attending webinars, or taking part in workshops, continuous learning can fuel your professional growth and keep you inspired. Consider subjects outside of your immediate field as well; diverse knowledge can spark innovative ideas and unexpected solutions to business challenges.
Professional growth
If you need to know more to get ahead and be where you want to be, then you should do that and invest in those certifications and degrees as and when you need to because they will broaden your horizons and help you to succeed in life.
Take a break
While the ethos of ‘always on’ might be celebrated in some circles, smart executives know the value of stepping back. Regular breaks and well-planned vacations can prevent burnout and boost your overall productivity by giving your brain a chance to rest and reset.
Vacation and downtime
No matter how busy you may be, or how important you are to your company, you can take a vacation, and you know what? You should! A change of place and a change of pace can do you the world of good, and make you even more efficient when you do get back to the grind. The same, you should remember, go for your team, right?
Hobbies and interests
Hobbies might seem like just another thing you would have to add to your seemingly endless list of tasks, but you would be a fool not to do so nonetheless. Why? Because hobbies are the things you do just for you. Far from adding stress to your life, they can help to diminish it. They give you balance back.
Implement health-boosting strategies
Finally, integrate simple, health-boosting strategies into your everyday routine to help maintain your physical and mental wellbeing.
Nutritional wellbeing
It’s always the advice you get when reading any article like this one, but that’s because eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains really is so important for your overall health and well-being. It’s also the case that, if you can avoid heavy reliance on caffeine and sugar for energy, you will be much less likely to see significant mental highs and lows throughout your day.
Get quality sleep
As a busy exec, mom and…well whatever you are, you should absolutely never compromise on sleep, right. In fact, you’re going to want to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends, to maintain your body’s internal clock. Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime and consider using apps that emit red light, which is less disruptive to sleep than blue light.
You might be an extremely busy executive, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a stressed out ball of pain, chaos and tension, right?
