3CHECK IN WITHOUT OVERSTEPPING : When a spa leader senses that an employee may be struggling , their natural impulse may be to reach out and ask , “ Are you okay ?” However , even that simple question can create a sense of expectation that might make the employee less likely to share . Instead , Dr . Geyer recommends that leaders ask instead , “ What ’ s coming up for you right now ?” This slight adjustment in phrasing can encourage team members to share what they are experiencing , while also giving the inquiring leader a better sense of the scale of the employee ’ s stress . From there , it ’ s easier to determine next steps , whether those include merely providing space for the employee to share further or recommending mental health resources .
4IT ALL STARTS WITH SLEEP : According to Dr . Geyer , sleep ( or a lack of it ) may be the most critical component of our overall well-being , yet in times of stress , restful sleep often goes out the window . Thankfully , you can “ set up your day to set up your night ,” increasing the chances of a getting good night ’ s rest . If possible , eat your last meal of the day three to four hours before bed and avoid snacking during that time . Create a screen-free window of time for at least an hour ( preferably two ) before bed , leaving screens literally out of the room if you can . You can also incorporate breath-based practices like mindfulness , meditation or even yoga to help transition yourself into a more relaxed state before bed . Making these small adjustments can help retrain your body to sleep well and build up resilience to stress . n
“ Supporting the mental well-being of your team doesn ’ t require you to first have everything under complete control yourself . Remember , nobody ’ s perfect .”
DR . CINDY GEYER is a clinician triple board-certified in internal medicine , integrative medicine and lifestyle medicine . She currently serves as the Medical Director at Canyon Ranch Lenox , where she has practiced for 21 years . She has also served on the Board of Directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine .
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