Across corporate America, workplace leaders have always had the tough end of the spectrum. With the need to meet goals, make important decisions, and resolve conflicts, the growing demands consistently pile up. And everyday, they carry not only their own workload, but the weight of entire teams, making them accountable for a majority of business success.
At first glance, this type of responsibility feels like an accomplishment. Leaders work years of their lives to earn the spots they have, and more likely than not, they’ve dreamt about their positions for a very long time. Many of them have dedicated four years of school to earn bachelor’s degrees, and some even graduate degrees, to get to this very moment.
But over time, the feeling of accomplishment begins to erode under the intense amount of pressures at work. The excitement that once fueled them starts to fade, and eventually, mental fatigue and burnout becomes the vain of their existence.
That problem is where today’s workplace crisis begins. With the modern work culture intensifying tasks and expecting leaders to perform at unattainable rates, suddenly dream roles do not feel like a victory. Instead, work becomes dreadful, where managers start to spiral at alarming rates.
There are multiple factors that play into exactly why leaders are mentally strained. One recent report shows that two-thirds of leaders are burning out because of excessive tasks on their plate. At the same time, leaders spend up to 75% of their day in meetings, where this constant connectivity eliminates their ability to have a healthy work-life balance.
In addition, numbers from the same report further prove that managers are plummeting across the ecosystem. With approximately 56% of them burned out last year, leaders are gradually becoming vulnerable players in today’s culture.
“The data shows that manager engagement is what is really slipping, and that should be a wake-up call for organizations. When leaders burn out, the entire team feels it, because energy, clarity, and trust all start to erode,” Prudence Hatchett said, Leadership Resilience Strategist and Mental Wellness Specialist.
When a leader reaches their breaking point, the rippling effects hit quickly. Team morale drops, creativity weakens, collaboration stops, and operations decline. And the worst of it all, capable employees start to leave altogether.
This is why mental health hygiene practices are foundational for anyone in a leadership position. At its core, mental health hygiene refers to the consistent and frequent maintenance of one’s emotional and psychological well-being. The approach is intended to help manage stress and prevent the mental burden from appearing in the first place.
“I tell leaders to treat their mental health hygiene like brushing their teeth. Daily rituals like setting boundaries on after-hours communication, practicing brief emotional check-ins, or carving out recovery time each week can make a huge difference. The truth is, resilience is not built in crisis, it is built in consistent habits. Leaders who take their own well-being seriously set the tone for healthier, more engaged teams,” Hatchett explains.
To build that resilience, leaders can integrate several practical steps into their routines. This includes:
- Make space for yourself – Leaders should make it a priority to create intentional moments of peace. Whether that means meditating in the morning, taking breaks, or even decorating workspaces that feel like “home,” making space can allow individuals to find clarity and groundedness.
- Focus on the positives – While challenges are inevitable, leaders can protect their mental health by acknowledging the positives. Celebrating small wins or recognizing progress, for example, are the best ways to survive when work feels negative.
- Set firm boundaries – Leaders need to establish clear expectations when it comes to work-life balance. They should set clear meeting limits and after-hours rules so that the workplace doesn’t mix with personal life.
- Do daily check-ins – Frequent check-ins with oneself helps leaders track emotional levels. It is a simple habit that allows individuals to react and pivot before the stress escalates.
The reality is, today’s organizations need workplace leaders. But if they crumble, workplace culture won’t ever feel the same.
For anyone in leadership positions, take this as a call to practice mental health hygiene today. By doing so, workplace leaders can begin to feel the hope again.
