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Moving Towards Mental Wellbeing: Leadership, Movement, and Finding Flow 

Moving Towards Mental Wellbeing: Leadership, Movement, and Finding Flow 

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we think it’s an opportune time to reflect on how leaders can nurture positive mental wellbeing for themselves and their teams. This year’s theme, “movement,” emphasises the impact that physical activity can have on our mental health. But mental wellbeing isn’t just about physical movement; it’s also about finding flow and creating a culture that prioritises self-care. 

The connection between physical movement and mental health is well-established. Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood, self-esteem, and cognitive function. As leaders, it’s important that we model and encourage healthy behaviours, such as taking regular breaks, going for walks, and prioritising physical activity. 

But mental wellbeing isn’t just about physical movement; it’s also about finding the right flow and movement in our work. Flow is a state of optimal experience where we become fully immersed in an activity, losing track of time and experiencing a profound sense of focus and engagement. When we’re in a state of flow, we’re not only more productive and moving forward but also more fulfilled and satisfied with our work. 

As leaders, we can create flow for ourselves and our teams by setting clear goals, providing autonomy and trust, offering meaningful feedback and recognition, and creating an environment that minimises distractions. We also need to recognise that finding flow requires mental space and clarity, which is where encouraging breaks and prioritising self-care, including movement, comes into play. 

To create this space, leaders can implement strategies like encouraging regular break times, providing quiet spaces for relaxation or meditation, and offering flexible work arrangements that allow for physical activity and self-care during the day. By making these practices a normal and accepted part of the workday, leaders can help their teams maintain the mental clarity and focus needed to find flow and perform at their best. 

At The Thrive Team, we understand that promoting mental wellbeing requires a holistic approach. That’s why our executive search process goes beyond the traditional CV to identify leaders who value and model healthy work-life integration. We look for individuals who have the emotional intelligence and self-awareness to prioritise their own wellbeing and that of their teams. 

Our commitment to developing this mindset extends to our training and coaching offerings, which include innovative programs like wellbeing coaching, face yoga workshops and comprehensive mental health courses. These programs provide leaders and teams with practical tools and strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and promoting overall wellbeing. 

Ultimately, creating a culture of mental wellbeing requires a leadership mindset that prioritises and models self-care. It’s about creating an environment where it’s not only acceptable but encouraged to step away from the desk, take breaks, and engage in activities that promote physical and mental health. 

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, remember that the path to mental wellbeing is an ongoing journey that requires commitment and effort. By prioritising our own wellbeing, modelling healthy behaviours, and creating a culture that supports the wellbeing of others, we can build more resilient, engaged, and thriving organisations. 

As leaders, we have the power and responsibility to champion this movement towards mental wellbeing. Embracing physical activity, creating space for flow and focus, and prioritising self-care, will support us to inspire our teams to do the same. This Mental Health Awareness Week take the opportunity to reflect on how we can develop a leadership mindset that promotes mental wellbeing—for ourselves, our teams, and our organisations as a whole. 

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Posted

May 13, 2024

Author

Ali Grady

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