How to Improve Self-Care and Become the Best Leader You Can Be

Self-Care
July 8, 2019
18 / 100

In an airplane safety briefing, flight attendants tell parents that, in the event of cabin pressure loss, be sure to attach the drop-down oxygen mask to themselves before assisting their children with their mask. The reason for this is that parents tend to be so focused on making sure their child is safe, they forget it’s more important, and better for their child’s long-term safety, to first attach their own mask. In a much less dramatic sense, being a leader involves applying the same principal.

Being a great leader isn’t just about taking care of those around you — it’s also about taking care of yourself in order to be the best leader you can be in the long term. Before assisting your employees, it’s best to assist yourself. In order to do that, it’s important to practice some self-care. By getting enough sleep, having healthy work-life boundaries, taking your vacation time, eating well, and engaging in positive self-talk, you’ll be in the right space to be a leader to those around you.

Get Enough Sleep

Nearly every self-care list talks about getting enough sleep, but that’s how important it is. Sleep can affect your energy, your stress levels, your attention to detail, and your ability to be a great leader . Sometimes being told to get enough sleep is easier said than done, but it’s helpful to take steps that can help you get the sleep you need to be there for the people who need you.

Try creating a sleep schedule, removing technology from the bedroom, or getting a new bed. Some people swear by sleeping with a fan in the room, while others need blackout curtains. Experiment with a few things if you’re not getting enough sleep.

Create Work Boundaries

Those who tend to gravitate toward leadership positions can often have an issue with being overworked due to their own priorities in making sure work always comes first. However, this can sometimes lead to exhaustion and a poor work-life balance. Practice self-care by creating some work boundaries. This can mean turning off work emails from your phone, avoiding work discussions after a certain time, or silencing work numbers on the weekends.

This can cause some anxiety at first, but in the long run it can help your overall happiness at work and in life by creating these healthy boundaries. The best leaders encourage work-life balance for their employees, but they also practice that balance themselves as well.

Take Your Vacation Time

Workaholics have a hard time taking vacations. If you’re in a leadership position, it can be hard to leave those who need you. However, it’s important to take a break and recharge in order to be the best you can be at work. It also shows trust for those who will take the reins while you’re gone. Work burnout is real for everyone. It’s also important to lead by example and show employees they don’t have to be overworked to be valuable and that taking a break is important and okay.

Eat Well

In some careers, the job is really emotionally taxing. For positions in social work, healthcare, or criminal justice, etc., it can be hard to take care of yourself when clients, patients, or victims rely on you. It’s common to overlook self-care when you’re in a line of work when the stakes are so high. For positions like these, self-care is extremely important because it can often be looked over  in order to benefit others. One of the many aspects of self-care that is commonly forgotten is a focus on eating healthy. Again, you need oxygen in order to put the mask on your child.

Overeating, undereating, or eating poorly can be a result of poor work-life balance or poor self-care in response to a demanding leadership role. Even if you don’t have an emotionally taxing position, stress can still affect what you eat and how much you eat as well. Coffee isn’t a meal replacement, cooking at home can lead to better eating, and it’s important to realize exactly how many calories can be in things like beer or a mixed drink. Creating meal plans and making a schedule for your meals can help you to focus on eating well.

Engage in Positive Self-Talk

If you’re in a leadership position, chances are you understand the ramifications of negativity and conflict for your employees. It can be hard to find the balance between holding employees accountable and berating them, but that balance is important. It’s a manager’s or supervisor’s job to help employees become the best they can be, and a big part of that is encouragement and positivity.

In the same way that positive talk is important for your employees, it’s important for you as well. When things are difficult, be careful not to be negative to yourself. Give yourself a break — just like you’d give your employees a break. Positive self-talk is a major component in self-care and something that can help your overall happiness.

Everyone has an area of self-care that they can improve on. Each person manifests stress in a different way. Some can’t sleep; some are overworked; some become workaholics; some don’t eat well; and others talk negatively to themselves. Find the thing that you do, and work to remedy it. Instead of having it be a downfall, use it as self-care and improve upon it. As a result, you’ll become a stronger leader. The better off you are, the better you can help those around you overcome those all too common workplace issues — it all starts with you.

Categories

More Posts:

10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

From analyzing skin conditions to recommending personalized skincare routines, AI is revolutionizing the beauty industry. With the help of machine learning algorithms, beauty brands are now able to offer tailored solutions that address specific concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Thanks to AI-powered tools like facial recognition and augmented reality, we can even visualize how different products will look on our skin before making a purchase.

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Occupational Hazards That Come With an Office Job

Working in an office can be a great way to make a living, but it also comes with certain risks. Sitting at a desk for long hours and staring at screens can lead to physical ailments that not only cause discomfort but could eventually lead to more serious health...

How to Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills in the Workplace

Are you looking to become a leader in your field? If so, you need to know how to demonstrate your leadership skills in the workplace. Many people think that leaders are born, not made.  This is simply not true. Anyone can learn the skills necessary to be an effective...

7 Essential Tips for Maintaining a High Standard of Health and Safety in Your Organization

Workplace health and safety is a legal obligation that all employers must adhere to. But apart from ensuring compliance and avoiding legal issues, maintaining high health and safety standards can come with a number of benefits for your business as well. With the right...

Women’s Fitness Tips: How to Make Time for Exercise in Your Super-Busy Schedule

We’ve all gone down the social media rabbit hole during a lazy Sunday afternoon. Among the sea of influencers, we’ve also probably seen one that seems to have everything – the dream job, the perfect home, and, above all, time to fit a workout into her super-busy...

17 Best Leadership Books Every Leader Must Read

 Even the most talented managers can learn something new. Self-improvement is a journey of discovery that can help you manage your teams more effectively. Reading is a highly valuable learning process any leader can do. Through reading, you’ll learn: how to understand...

How to Create More Motivated Employees at Your Company

Motivated employees will be more productive in the workplace. They will also be more likely to stick around longer, which is beneficial for your company. To create more motivated employees at your company you can provide a healthy work environment, reward employees,...

How Business Leaders Can Better Connect With Their Employees

For many entrepreneurs, it often feels that they aren’t really making meaningful connections with their employees while they run things behind the scenes. Good leaders know that forging a bond with those you work with is a key to success, but it can be hard to find...

How to Decrease the Burden of Healthcare Expenses on Your Employees

Healthcare expenses can be a burden to your employees. Luckily, there are things you can do as an employer to help decrease this burden. Here are a few ways to help your employees with their healthcare expenses and support them the way they support your business! Pick...
10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

From analyzing skin conditions to recommending personalized skincare routines, AI is revolutionizing the beauty industry. With the help of machine learning algorithms, beauty brands are now able to offer tailored solutions that address specific concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Thanks to AI-powered tools like facial recognition and augmented reality, we can even visualize how different products will look on our skin before making a purchase.

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

How to Create More Motivated Employees at Your Company

How to Create More Motivated Employees at Your Company

Motivated employees will be more productive in the workplace. They will also be more likely to stick around longer, which is beneficial for your company. To create more motivated employees at your company you can provide a healthy work environment, reward employees,...

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

Elements That Should Be Part of Your Company Retreat

Elements That Should Be Part of Your Company Retreat

A company retreat is an excellent opportunity for team-building, learning new skills, and fostering relationships between colleagues. Whether your team is large or small, a well-planned retreat can be an invaluable investment in your company's success. We will explore...

How to Make Employee Health a Priority

How to Make Employee Health a Priority

Prioritizing employee health is crucial for creating a healthy and productive work environment. By investing in the health and wellbeing of your employees, you can improve morale, reduce absenteeism, and build a positive company culture. Here are some tips on how to...

Why You Should Run Your Business on the Latest Technology

Why You Should Run Your Business on the Latest Technology

In today's fast-paced business environment, keeping up with technological advancements is essential for success. Implementing the latest technology can offer numerous benefits, such as improved productivity, enhanced data security, and reduced costs.  Improve...

What are local links and how to earn them

What are local links and how to earn them

What local links are and how they might assist local businesses develop an efficient SEO strategy are covered in this article. Local links allow visitors to learn more about a region and its businesses by connecting websites from the same area that are relevant to one another. They must be pertinent to the neighbourhood and offer valuable resources or information. Content marketing, reviews, sponsored content, social media, and directories are all ways to generate local links.

Ways for Increasing Property Management Lead Generation

Ways for Increasing Property Management Lead Generation

Property management is not a simple job, there are multiple tasks that a property manager should complete for various property investors. Marketing is one of the difficult parts, but it’s crucial. You can only attract tenants to your property and gain income after you have generated leads. Therefore, you should try your best to come up with smart and effective strategies to get your company known.