By: Brittany Teepe
The confetti has settled, the champagne glasses are back in the cupboard, and the fresh-start energy is palpable. For leaders and their teams, this time of year often brings a renewed sense of purpose – and the daunting reality that last year’s stressors didn’t magically disappear at midnight. Sound familiar?
As professionals, we often sprint into January armed with ambitious goals and to-do lists that resemble novellas. But here’s the kicker: if we don’t prioritize our well-being, we risk running out of steam before the quarter is even up. Let’s ditch the burnout cycle this year and lean into balance instead.
Here’s how leaders and teams can embrace self-care without sacrificing productivity – and maybe even have some fun along the way.
Redefine Self-Care
For starters, we need to redefine “self-care”. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and meditation apps (though if those work for you, fantastic!).
For leaders, self-care could mean:
- Setting boundaries, like actually taking a lunch break without your laptop (terrifying, I know).
- Delegating tasks instead of playing superhero.
- Saying “no” to unnecessary meetings and YES, you can decline politely!
For teams, self-care might look like:
- Encouraging open conversations about workload.
- Building in micro-breaks to stretch, breathe, or simply recharge.
- Normalizing the occasional mental health day without guilt.
Start by asking your team this simple question: What does self-care look like to you? You’ll get insights that go beyond the basics.
Embrace the Power of Micro-Moments
Who has time for a week-long wellness retreat? Exactly. The good news is balance doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s about finding joy and restoration in small, consistent actions!
- Start team meetings with a 2-minute gratitude round. It boosts morale and reminds everyone what’s going well.
- Institute a 10-minute walking challenge for remote teams. Take a call while pacing or enjoy a quick outdoor break.
- Celebrate small wins – finishing a project, hitting a milestone, or maybe even just surviving a tough week.
These moments add up and foster a culture where people feel valued and energized.
Model the Behavior You Want to See
Leaders, this one’s for you: Your team is watching. If you’re sending 11 PM emails or skipping vacation days, guess what? Your team thinks they should, too. Instead, model healthy habits:
- Take your PTO – and don’t check emails while you’re gone.
- Share your own self-care wins (or struggles) in a team meeting to normalize the conversation.
- Set clear “end-of-day” boundaries and encourage your team to log off.
When you show that balance is a priority, it gives your team permission to follow suit.
Build Connection Into the Calendar
Workplace wellness thrives on connection. No, this doesn’t mean just scheduling more Zoom calls and staring at each other; this means putting effort and thought into what your team needs to build relationships.
- Hosting in-person team-building events that prioritize fun and flexibility – like a cooking class, escape room, or trivia night.
- Pairing team members for monthly “coffee chats,” either virtual or at their favorite coffee shop, to foster connections that may not happen otherwise.
- Creating a shared playlist to keep energy high during busy seasons. Bonus points if it includes both Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones!
Remember, a connected team is a resilient team.
Take a deep breath – you do not have to overhaul your entire routine overnight! Start small, experiment, and remember that self-care is a journey, not a destination. With these ideas in mind; cheers to 2025 and the collective resolution: to work smarter, not harder; to prioritize well-being and not just deadlines; and to find balance in the beautiful chaos of leadership and teamwork.