You’re neck-deep in the chaos that defines leading in today’s world. Deadlines are not just suggestions; they’re the law of the land. Your team’s feeling the crunch, and so are you. The world outside the office? It’s not waiting patiently. It’s tossing in a few extra curveballs like war, economic uncertainty, and the stripping of civil rights, just for fun. And just when you think you’ve maxed out on challenges, the rumor mill starts churning out whispers of layoffs and downsizing again. It’s the reality of leadership today — unrelenting, unpredictable, and unapologetically stressful.

But here’s the thing, how you deal with this – personally and as a leader – matters. You’ve got your go-tos, right? Maybe it’s hitting a trail where the only deadline is sunset, or losing yourself in a novel where the stakes are high but fictitiously so. Maybe it’s a solid workout, a well-timed joke, or a meal that doesn’t come from a box or a vending machine. These aren’t just niceties; they’re necessities in helping you cope with your day, but maybe they’ve slipped by the wayside lately.

And it’s easy to preach self-care, but let’s talk about what it actually looks like when you’re leading a team. You can use National Stress Awareness month to point out the elephant in the room — that everyone’s feeling the squeeze — and tackle it head-on rather than hoping it’ll keep hiding in the shadows. You can ditch the corporate speak for genuine conversations and build a culture where it’s not just about the grind but about sustaining your energy and creativity because the race isn’t a sprint; it’s am ultra-marathon through the desert with a pack on your back.

So, what’s your version of hitting the reset button? Share your own stress-busters, and then turn the spotlight on your team. Ask them about their go-tos for stress relief. How can you each integrate these release valves into your daily routine at work not just your weekend plans? It’s not about eliminating stress – that’s a fantasy. It’s about managing it, channeling it, and sometimes, just sometimes, turning it into fuel. This is also your opportunity to lead by example and actually log off when the day is done (or at least don’t send out messages that show you’re still lurking online), and use your vacation days without dropping in “just for this one meeting.” Show them it’s okay to step back and breathe and disconnect.

This month a prime opportunity to steer away from the silent battle with stress and move towards open dialogue and actionable strategies within your team. What’s the first conversation you’ll initiate, or the first strategy you’ll implement, to shift the narrative on stress in your team?