FORBES – Executive Health: What Could Matter More?

Business environments are faster-paced and more unpredictable than ever. The amount of information coming at senior leaders is relentless, daunting and unprecedented. As an executive or C-suite leader, it’s not just the volume of information that weighs on you but also the responsibility of making decisions in an ever-changing landscape. The complexity, pressure and visibility that come with the role are immense. And yes, it has always been lonely at the top.

Few people understand the unique challenges you face as a leader. You’re responsible for solving problems that rarely have clear solutions. You carry the weight of your company’s success, yet there are few people you can turn to for advice or support or even to vent. You can’t share freely with your team because you risk losing their trust and confidence, and in many cases, you’re legally restricted from disclosing sensitive information.

Everyone around you wants or needs something—your time, your approval, your insight, your coaching. You’re constantly giving, and few now see you as a person with needs of your own. On top of your very big day job, you also have personal challenges and obligations, and as you age, your health becomes an ever more pressing matter.

Having worked with executives for the past 23 years, I’ve seen more leaders feeling vulnerable and depleted. They are asking, “How will we stay relevant with advances in AI?” or “How can we protect and grow market share in the face of such disruption and competition?” Many wrestle with thoughts like, “I don’t know how long I can keep this up” or “Is this even worth it anymore?” The strain of juggling equity partners, board members, constant travel and trying to maintain some level of personal well-being leads many to say, “I don’t think I want to do this anymore.”

Executive Health: A Business-Critical Investment

Executive health is no longer a personal issue; it’s a business-critical investment. The pressures of leadership today demand more than just strategic acumen and business insights. They require physical and mental stamina, emotional resilience and the ability to deal with constant change and stress. Without focusing on your health—both physical and mental—you risk not only your well-being but also the performance of your company.

If you’re running on fumes, feeling isolated and questioning whether you can keep up with your workload, your decision-making and overall leadership performance will suffer. The cost of burnout, poor health and ineffective leadership can be costly and catastrophic, affecting morale, employee engagement and, ultimately, the bottom line.

The Importance of Sleep: A Game Changer For Executive Performance

Dr. Cheri Mah, a renowned sleep expert and performance specialist, has emphasized the critical importance of sleep for high-level performance, particularly in athletes but also in executive roles. In an interview with CEO Steven Bartlett, she highlighted how quality sleep is one of the most effective strategies for both productivity and resilience.

Mah explained that sleep is not just about recovery; it’s about optimizing cognitive function, emotional regulation and decision-making. Lack of sleep affects everything from your ability to think clearly and make sound decisions to your emotional stability and energy levels. If you want to perform at your peak and sustain yourself over the long term, prioritize good-quality sleep.

Daily Disciplines: Being The Person and Leader You Want To Be

We each operate best when we honor a handful of actions that make us feel we are living our values, taking care of ourselves and being present for others. I call these Daily Disciplines. What are those five to seven things that you know you need to do to live up to your own standards for leadership and life? These are the things that, when you do them, make you feel amazing and allow you to be at your best, regardless of what life and business throw at you.

Daily Disciplines aren’t just about fulfilling professional responsibilities; they’re about sustaining yourself mentally, emotionally and physically. Your daily routines are evidence that you are indeed the leader and person you aspire to be.

Take time now to identify the daily disciplines that are critical for you to be effective, efficient, excited, fulfilled, healthy and connected to the people and causes that matter most.

As an example, here are my daily disciplines:

• Getting 7 To 8 Hours of Sleep: This is nonnegotiable for maintaining energy, clarity and decision-making capacity.
• Daily Morning Practice: I set aside time each morning to decide who I want and intend to be as I handle the million and one things required of me. Often, my intention is to be present, approachable, clear and inspiring to those I work with and through.
• Staying Informed: I stay updated with technology and global news to understand what’s happening in the world and how it may impact my clients and their businesses.
• Meditation And Learning: I use breaks to meditate and commutes to learn via podcasts.
• Exercising: I exercise for at least an hour daily, whether it’s yoga, walking or strength training.
• Hydration: I drink 4 to 6 glasses of water throughout the day.
• Eating Clean: I focus on eating only foods with one ingredient and eating until 80% full.

On my best days, I do all these things. On my worst, I do none.

The key is that I know what creates a great day for me—what is needed for me to be great with others. I can’t always live these, but I know how to get back on track when I fall short.

What Are Your Daily Disciplines?

Now that you’ve seen an example, it’s time to explore your own daily disciplines.

• What daily actions are needed for you to feel your best?
• What habits enable you to be really great with and for others?

Write them down, commit to them and revisit them regularly.

Remember, it’s in these small, daily actions that you truly become the leader and person you aim to be. Prioritize your health and nurture your well-being, and you’ll not only sustain yourself but thrive in working exceptionally well with and through others.

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Forbes.com