It’s impossible to maintain compassionate leadership standards while being consistently burned out. Unfortunately, too many women in business struggle to maintain a standard of perfection in all aspects of their lives, causing them to juggle work life, home life, family life, and personal life all at once while truly succeeding only a small fraction of the time. Women in business today must understand that needing time for yourself is not just okay, but encouraged, and it works wonders to maintain compassionate leadership both at home and at work. 6 ways to truly unwind after a long day, and avoid the type of burnout that makes compassionate leadership challenging, are:
1. Pencil in your relaxation – In some cases, if it’s not penciled into the schedule, it’s not going to happen. Days can get ahead of you, and a schedule helps to keep things on track. Don’t be afraid to pencil in your downtime, and to treat it as if it were just as important as a big meeting. Not only will it keep you honest, but it will remind you of how important it is to take time to wind down.
2. Disconnect everything – Your phone, your laptop, or your tablet, they’re all temptations. A quick check of the email can easily lead to responding to clients all throughout dinnertime and losing any downtime you may have had at all during that day. If you find it difficult to disconnect mentally from the office, disconnect physically and give yourself some disciplined time away from the electronics.
3. Get into the bath – You may be surprised by how much tension you hold within your body, even when you feel as though you’re trying your hardest to relax. During these times, getting into a warm bath can work to relax all of the muscle systems of your body, making it much easier to allow your mind to slip away.
4. Work it out – Exercise does incredible things for the body, and one that many don’t realize is relieving stress. When we exercise, the body releases endorphins to promote relaxation and make the entire self-feel at ease, while also providing natural energy. If you’re particularly stressed or anxious, exercise may be just what your body needs.
5. Enjoy the outdoors – A change of scenery does the body and the mind good, and fresh air can help the body to reset itself after a long day at work.
6. Mindful meditation – Mindful meditation consciously allows the mind to let go, and sometimes letting go is all it takes to unwind and change gears. With loose meditation stones, mala prayer beads, or simply on your own in a comfortable spot you love, mindful meditation may be just what you need to unwind.
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