CxO Mental Health: 5 Ways to Inspire Mental Wellness in Yourself and Others

The pandemic has caused a surge in stress, anxiety, and depression levels, brought on by the upheaval in work and education situations, social isolation, and loss of loved ones. Mental Health America statistics reveal that 19% of adults in the US are experiencing mental illness—the equivalent of 47M Americans.*

In many ways, the pandemic has also caused a surge in self-care and mental health awareness. As a CxO leader before the pandemic, you probably spent some time strategizing how to incorporate your employees’ mental health into your organization, perhaps by promoting work-life balance, providing coverage in health insurance, or fostering safe and communicative corporate cultures. Recognizing others’ challenges and leading with empathy will help maintain productivity and engagement, but don’t forget to take a look at your own mental health as well!

If you are a CEO, COO, CDO, CFO, CMO, CIO, CTO, or other CxO executive, you can employ some or all the techniques below to enhance the mental health of yourself and your employees.

How to Boost Your Mental Health as a C-Suite Executive

Change Your Surroundings. A change of scenery can help break the monotony, build new habits, and refresh your brain. Try reorganizing your furniture, walking through a neighborhood you don’t live in, or taking a phone call in a different part of your office.
Experience Someone Else’s Story. We’ve all missed out on numerous amazing travel experiences since the start of the pandemic. What’s the next best thing? Reading. Escape into a different world and experience someone else’s story, whether fictional or non-fictional. If you need some inspiration, check out The New York Times bestseller lists.
Maintain Social Relationships. Do not underestimate the power of human connection, even if it is over the phone. Talking about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences with someone can help you feel less alone and vulnerable and sometimes shed new light on your problems, helping you solve issues you were stuck on.
Move Your Body & Eat Well. While this is not a new concept, it is tried and true. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins, and a balanced diet can reduce mood fluctuations and increase your focus. You can earn bonus endorphins for getting outside; go for a walk in the park followed by a picnic.
Reach Out. There are plenty of resources available for all different levels of support. No amount of struggle is too little to “need” help. Mental Health America has a great interactive tool to find resources.

CXO job transitions can be incredibly stressful. To find out how we can take some of the weight off your shoulders, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.

* MHA, “Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness – Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI) 2021“

Mary Elizabeth Bradford is the Founder and Executive Director of CEOresumewriter.com and Maryelizabethbradford.com and a past executive recruiter. A thought leader in the career services industry for over 20 years, she holds 5 distinct advanced certifications for senior-level resume writing, online branding and executive-level job search coaching (CERM, CMRW, CARW, MCD, NCOPE). She has been seen and heard in major media including Forbes, Time, WSJ, Newsweek and NBC affiliate stations. She holds 2 CDI TORI awards and is a top tier judge for the elite CDI TORI awards for four consecutive years. Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s elite team of award-winning, certified, top executive resume writers, former top executive recruiters, and global HR executives help many of the world’s premier C-suite, board members and thought leaders secure the transitions and compensation packages they want. She works with clients all over the globe.