12 ways business leaders can prioritize their mental health

As a business leader, your mental health can sometimes take a backseat to deadlines and bottom lines. However, prioritizing your mental well-being is a critical component of resilience, which is necessary for sustainable success.

To help you maintain balance, the members of Newsweek Expert Forum share their tried-and-true strategies for prioritizing their mental health. From carving out tech-free time to getting regular exercise, these methods can support your overall well-being while you continue to lead effectively.

1. Get Outside

Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve noticed how effective being outside in some capacity has helped to not only improve my mood but also give me clarity on things I’ve been thinking through. Make sure to actually schedule this time as well. This is important for leaders because it helps them show up more grounded in their decision-making and sets an example for their team. – André Blackman, True Search

2. Connect With Your Body and Other People

As leaders, we all need to take care of our mental health so as not to drive others crazy. We all spend most of our days in front of screens, so we get disconnected from our bodies. Then, paradoxically, our minds start going around in circles. To restore my sanity, I prioritize movement breaks by going outside and connecting with real three-dimensional human beings, even when I feel time pressure. – Paula Oleska, Natural Intelligence Systems

3. Make Time for the Simple Things

As an entrepreneur, I’ve realized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and overall well-being. Simple things like exercise and taking time to relax help me stay focused and positive. I find that talking to my coach often helps me refocus on the balance between work and personal life. – Jason Hennessey, Hennessey Digital

4. Allow Yourself to Disconnect and Recharge

Rest and downtime can help improve cognitive function and decision-making abilities. Leaders who take time to disconnect and recharge often return with clearer minds and fresh perspectives, which are crucial for strategic thinking and problem-solving. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal

5. Avoid Complications and Strive for Balance

Everyone needs to have a break from stress and spend time with family and friends. Work hard, but also play hard. No one can survive a 24/7 stressful environment for long periods because you lose effectiveness as a leader and as an employee. Avoid complications and addictions in life. Strive for a healthy balance of exercising, eating right and getting enough rest. – Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures

6. Practice Intentional Solitude and Tech-Free Reflection

I practice strategic solitude and set intentional, dedicated and uninterrupted periods of tech-free reflection. It is a mindfulness approach that allows me to not only disconnect from the physical world but also recharge my cognitive resources. Other leaders can adopt this practice to enhance their decision making and maintain an empathetic leadership persona. – Dr. Kira Graves, Kira Graves Consulting

7. Prioritize Exercise and Therapy

Therapy and exercise have been my saving grace as a business owner and leader. Especially as I’ve gotten older, I realize the importance of taking care of my well-being. For me, these two things are life-saving tactics for maintaining good mental health. – Tammy Sons, Tn Nursery

8. Set Boundaries Between Your Work and Personal Life

Practice excellent self-care and setting clear boundaries between your work and personal life. By fostering a healthy work-life balance, you recharge, maintain focus and make sound decisions. A clear mind leads to increased productivity, creativity and better overall leadership. In this way, taking care of our mental health positively impacts our teams and organizations. – Anna Yusim, MD, Yusim Psychiatry, Consulting & Executive Coaching

9. Use Transitions as Reset Periods

I see every transition in my day as a chance to reset and clear away any internal “clutter.” In the past, I filled these moments with distractions, which hindered my ability to recharge in small, real-time bursts. However, by seizing these opportunities to pause and be present, I’ve enhanced my focus, worked more creatively and resisted the urge to multitask as the day continues to unfold. – Leah Marone, Corporate Wellness Consultant

10. Start Your Morning Mindfully

How you start the day sets the tone for your whole day. Prioritize an activity that supports your mental health first thing in the morning, such as meditation, movement or journaling. Then, practice power pauses throughout the day. Taking a couple of deep breaths can help you reset in as little as 60 seconds. – Karen Mangia, The Engineered Innovation Group

11. Take a Break

Business leaders must inspire others, and it is hard to do when we are exhausted. We must be conscious about taking a break, even when we have much to do. Whether it is just a walk or a weekend trip, we need time for ourselves. – Krisztina Veres, Veres Career Consulting

12. Dedicate Time to Self-Care

An essential part of leadership is the clarity that comes from prioritizing our mental health. By taking time to rest and reflect, we recharge our mental and physical batteries. Setting up space in our day for self-care creates the opportunity to re-energize so that we can operate at full capacity and make better decisions. This helps our well-being and the overall well-being of those around us. – Henry Kurkowski, eWireless