Balancing Success and Mental Health
Before we begin…
I chose to post on Thursdays for several reasons, the beginning of the week, (chaotic-at times)— is behind us, the weekend is getting closer, and… we may be running low on inspiration. So in my humble opinion…Thursday is a good day to renew our energy!
Let’s Talk Leadership!
It seems we hear about mental health and emotional well-being now more than ever, doesn’t it? Maybe it is our fast-paced life, work problems, maybe even just keeping up with social media? Regardless of the reasons, mental and emotional well-being are up on the list of priorities. Just recently, I read mental health challenges and disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. today.
Why is mental and emotional well-being so important?
The benefits of well-being are many, according to psychologists. Investing in mental and emotional long-term health leads to a higher quality of life and overall satisfaction, regardless of external circumstances.
Let’s look at how leadership comes into play.
Optimal Performance
When you are mentally and emotionally healthy, you think clearly, make sound decisions, and handle challenges effectively. Mental health is closely linked to physical health too. So—- chronic stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions can lead to increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and immune disorders. You can reduce or prevent these conditions by maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being—-and thus performing your best in all areas of your life.
Relationships
When you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being, you are able to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and maintain positive relationships built on respect and support.
Productivity and Creativity
With a healthy mind, you are more likely to approach tasks with enthusiasm. This in turn, can foster, creativity, innovation, and even lead to greater productivity. It can also help you set a positive example and inspire others to prioritize their own well-being.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and thrive in the face of adversity. It helps you to cope with stress, overcome challenges, and persevere to pursue your goals. Not surprisingly, mental and emotional well-being foster resilience.
How Can I Sustain Well-being Under Social Media Pressures?
With social media you have access to resources, inspiration, and supportive communities. But it’s up to you to approach social media mindfully. Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, first. Get regular exercise, eat nutritious meals, prioritize sleep, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
I’ve listed a few other ways of achieving overall wellness in spite of social media.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries around social media use to prevent burnout. Set designated times to check emails and messages, and create periods of uninterrupted time for focused work, relaxation, and personal activities. Enjoy the company of others without the use of social media, especially during lunch.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help with social media’s negative effects. Try to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine.
Take breaks throughout the day.
Practice deep breathing, meditation, or mindful walking.
Pay attention to the present moment without judgement
Cultivate awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
With mindfulness, you can identify the triggers that lead to the excessive or unhealthy use of social media. Keep in mind it’s about intentional and purposeful actions to avoid falling into mindless scrolling. It’ll help you manage social media stress better.
Social Media and Spirituality: Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become popular spaces for people to share their spiritual journeys. These platforms offer guidance, inspiration, and support with opportunities for dialogue, learning, and growth. Plenty of Instagram accounts are dedicated to mindfulness, mediation, and yoga, with different spiritual traditions.
Yet, many people seek validation and recognition online. There are concerns about the qualifications of some of these online spiritual influencers. There’s also much promotion of superficiality and ego-driven behavior. And don’t forget the potential danger of misinformation or exploitation. With this in mind, be aware of the drawbacks of this digital approach.
Disconnect Regularly: Disconnecting from social media regularly is essential for maintaining balance, perspective, and well-being. It helps you reduce stress, anxiety, improve focus, and be more productive. You get better sleep quality too when you take regular breaks and disconnect from the constant stream of notifications. Set boundaries and prioritize real life experiences. Spend time outdoors, engage in hobbies, read a good book, or simply connect with loved ones – offline—to replenish your energy.
Delegate: Lighten your workload to prevent burnout, it allows you to focus on high-priority tasks. Avoid trying to do everything yourself and instead delegate to others effectively.You can promote growth and development, while reducing your own stress by entrusting and empowering others.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or colleagues when feeling overwhelmed. If you feel stressed, share your feelings and concerns openly, and lean on your support system for guidance. If feelings of stress persist, seek professional help, they can provide you with the right support to manage mental and emotional well-being.
Set Realistic Expectations
Avoid comparing yourself to others to prevent the negative feelings that come with self-comparison. Set realistic goals and priorities, and communicate boundaries and limitations openly.
Practice An Attitude of Gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life. Express gratitude regularly for the blessings, opportunities, and achievements. Be empathetic to others, it’s simple, but effective, online and offline.
Ultimately, the impact of social media depends on how you choose to engage with it. You can integrate your digital, personal, and professional life in an enriching way by seeking out meaningful connections and staying true to your values.
Have a good weekend!
—Dr. Aguilar
Digital Leadership
