8 self care tips for busy CEOs that you may have heard of, but really should try already

True story. Being a CEO means juggling balls that you didn’t even know existed, which makes it easy for self-care to fall apart. Even if you *know* self-care is important and may even espouse the benefits of it to others, there’s a good chance that you might not be doing it to the point that you’re starting to notice a decline in how you feel.

So, let’s talk about some simple ways to level up your self-care game and start feeling better — or at least more clear headed and less like you need to dive into a pool of coffee at 3 pm every day to survive. ;-)

1. Get some freaking exercise.

Look, I know you know that exercise is good for you, but hear me out. This isn’t so you have to look a certain way and it certainly doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming.

All I’m saying is that it makes sense that your body doesn’t feel great if you’re spending hours hunched over your computer and engaging in back to back ZOOM meetings until your eyes cross.

The thing that can really help this? Exercise. Even of the gentle, not-so-sweaty variety.

Here’s some low bar ideas:

• Look at your calendar each day and see if any of your meetings can be phone based, so you can sneak in a walk at the same time.

• Find a short stretching routine on your favorite workout app or YouTube that you can do at your desk.

• Look for an online Pilates mat or bodyweight class that you can do without breaking a sweat if you have limited time.

…or pick any movement modality that sounds fun to you and book it into your calendar — you know…that all knowing force that runs your life.

2. Establish a morning routine.

This doesn’t need to be anything complicated or involved. It just needs to provide structure to your day and get you out of bed without hitting snooze every 5 minutes for an hour.

Enjoy your coffee? Make it a ritual.

Trying to figure out when to sneak in a quick workout or walk? ::Hint…Maybe you can sneak 10 minutes into your morning.::

Starting your day with a clear head and less chaos can set the tone for less stress when you get into the office, so consider what you need to do for yourself every morning to feel that way.

3. I know you’re busy, but don’t skip lunch.

Yes, you’re flooded with work, but this is not a Snickers commercial and no one wants to deal with a hangry CEO. Also, eating enough improves executive function, so if you want to be able to make good decisions prioritize eating enough during the day!

4. Have a bedtime routine.

You’re smart. This is not rocket science. Taking the time to close the laptop, wind down, and go to bed at the same time every night can help you get a better night’s sleep, which improves overall health and helps you think more clearly.

Also, you’re not in college anymore. All nighters should not be a regular thing and get some darn blue light blocking glasses already!

5. Cultivate a personalized mindfulness practice.

If you hate the idea of listening to a generic meditation, I totally get it. Wind chimes don’t always do it for me either. Something that I’ve found to be helpful for myself and my clients is to create a more personalized version of recorded meditation. I started doing this when I realized that there are certain things I’ll learn or realize in hindsight that I’ll want or need to hear again in the future.

When I have one of these moments of wisdom, I write it down and then make a voice recording of it. Later, when I realize it’s something I need to hear, I’ll play back my recording to myself. For me, this has been more relevant and transformative than a more generic guided meditation. It gives me clarity when I am struggling to shift focus and a much needed pep talk that also aids in self-acceptance and appreciation.

6. Get a legitimate hobby. No, your company doesn’t count.

This gives you something to look forward to, so work doesn’t consume your entire life. Also, I say this with love, but no one in your inner circle cares about the mind numbing details of being a CEO. Yes, it’s important for you to connect with other people in the same space as you, but you need to be able to communicate with people outside of your industry as well.

To that point, to be interesting — and you need to be interesting for press and podcasts — you need to have something relatable to share with other people. Having an outside hobby helps you be interesting and maintain some semblance of sanity.

7. Create a support network for yourself in and outside of your business.

I think of my executive leadership coach as a business therapist. He’s helped me reflect on how I manage and lead, which has decreased my overall stress and made me a far more effective communicator.

That being said, if you’re struggling — or even if you’re not, but you know you could benefit from some additional support — consider finding an actual therapist too. Many of them do remote sessions, which means you don’t even have to leave your home or the office to honor your mental health.

8. Find something that feels really indulgent to do on a consistent basis — aka treat yourself!

This can be anything that sounds good to you with the shortlist being a massage, facial, mani pedi, or haircut and blowout every 3 weeks. What the thing is doesn’t matter, so long as it feels like it “resets” you and helps you feel your best.

P.S. Got a fellow CEO friend who needs to hear these tips? Forward this article to them or share it on social media. ;-)