Technology And Healthy People

Efigenia Vieira, headhunter e CEO da Upside Executive Search

Reading time: 3mins.

The condition known as insomnia affects approximately 60% of executives[1]. Waking up startled during the night, with racing thoughts, is a reality that could affect many of us, and is a serious sign that we have to look after ourselves.

Yes, it is necessary to seek solutions to improve our well-being and tackle the challenge of lack of restful sleep and other warning signs. Avoid sleeping pills or other prescription drugs that will only lead to even greater difficulties in the mid-term and might even mask the dreaded condition of depression and other psychic disorders.

A McKinsey study (February, 2019) involving 196 business leaders showed that 66% of them are not satisfied with the quality of hours that they dedicate to the pillow, and 5% suffer due to the bad quality of their sleep (MCKINSEY & COMPANY, 2019, n.p.).

Despite the fact that mental health arouses feelings of discomfort and prejudice, we know how much it has affected the physical, mental, social and emotional and spiritual and financial health of professionals and their beloved careers and companies. 

The new age of exponential technology means that leaders and their teams are increasingly in demand.

The interdependence of professionals and the world of exponentially expanding technology means that professionals have to make quick decisions and respond promptly to demands, being under continuous pressure. It also involves recapping on forgotten skills from the management manual and coping with competition from new and rapidly-changing business models and behaviors driven by emotional intelligence. 

Interdependence is the paradigm of “we”. “We can do this. We can cooperate. We can pool our talents and skills and together create something greater.”

Neglected emotions affect our health and productivity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that depression, burnout, panic disorder and disturbances caused by generalized anxiety mainly result from chronic stress and mental and physical exhaustion that have not been well managed. The WHO has also declared that in 2020 depression will be the main reason for people staying away from work, and this scenario will have an impact on the world economy to the tune of around one trillion dollars a year.

I would like to emphasize that the profound changes we are experiencing affect people in general for a number of reasons. However, there is no doubt that they have a considerable effect on the corporate world.

Clarification: burnout is a psychic disturbance characterized by a state of emotional tension and stress caused by exhausting working conditions. Panic disorder is associated with attacks of anxiety out of the blue, causing fear and desperation, associated with terrifying physical and emotional symptoms. Depression is a recurring chronic psychiatric condition that causes mood swings characterized by deep sadness and strong feelings of hopelessness. General anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by “excessive worry or apprehensive expectation”, which is persistent and difficult to control.

As shown above, serious illnesses are affecting people everywhere. 

Considering that no one makes it to the top without being well, in his book, Shawn Achor speaks of the “Harvard way of being happy”. Our leaders always need to look after themselves to respond well to ever increasing demands.

Once again, I emphasize competences such as the need for learning and continuous training, prompt and quick decision making, as well as behavioral characteristics like empathy, attention to detail, resilience, and the ability to maintain healthy relationships, all of which will be increasingly required.

With so much information available to us, we have to look after ourselves and court happiness and well-being.

The reality is that nobody is prepared for challenges that never cease to grow if they are stressed, sleepy and tired. Companies do not select worn out professionals. Furthermore, there are aggravating factors, such as leaders passing the same unhealthy profile on to their work teams.

What we experience becomes part of us, of our reality. That cannot be denied.

Although experiences are individual, there are some general points to bear in mind:

1. You can be sure that sleeping is not a waste of time; rather, it is vital to your health.
2. Discover your own limits in a world that is apparently limitless in the wake of the digital revolution, and work to establish a balanced routine.
3. Mind your thoughts.
4. Turn off your smartphone, which prolongs your working day and wears you out. The light from the screen, at night, affects your melatonin production and leads to yet another night without the rest you need.
5. Meditation and yoga change your focus and help relieve tension.
6. Take deep breaths. They are so pleasant!
7. Get involved in a good cause. Add new meaning to your life.
8. Develop a good mood, optimism and greater resilience.
9. Assign new meaning to your experiences. Open your mind to a new mental model.
10. Leave your car at home and walk whenever you can.
11. Be aware that alcohol compromises your sleep.
12. Develop self-observation as a lifestyle, be careful with what you eat and do physical exercise. Watch your weight.

With daily doses of affection and attention, you will be aware of how important you are. Look after yourself, turn down the lights and, whenever possible, give in to the temptation to do nothing. Strike the right balance to achieve the renewal that gives us the strength we require to move forward and continually grow and change. Nothing is beyond you. 

“Unexpressed emotions never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.” (Sigmund Freud, 1856-1939).

Our daily habits reflect our most deeply held values. Sleeping is a competitive differential for you and your company.

The investment you make in promoting health and, consequently, well-being and happiness pays off for everyone.

Throughout the entire course of my career, I cannot remember any innovative work environments with out of control levels of stress, anxiety and fear of failure and demotivation caused mainly by tired teams and leaders.

Set a good example for your work team!

Enjoy your work!

#headhunterandyou #youarehired #innovation #solutions #connection #healthatwork #happiness #jobinterview #original #disturbingyourpeace #headhunterandyou

BIBLIOGRAPHY
ACHOR, Shawn. O jeito Harvard de ser feliz: o curso mais concorrido de uma das melhores universidades do mundo. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2012.
ALMEIDA, Tássia. Saúde mental e inteligência emocional são os novos desafios do mundo moderno. “Congresso de Bem-estar e Felicidade, realizado na Fiesp, discutiu alternativas e técnicas para melhorar a saúde física e mental dos profissionais em função do aumento de casos de afastamento de trabalho por depressão e Síndrome de Burnout.” FIESP. São Paulo. 2019.
COVEY, Stephen R. Os 7 Hábitos das pessoas altamente eficazes. 58 ed. Rio de Janeiro: Best Seller, 2016.
MCKINSEY & COMPANY. Center for Government. Education to Employment. 2019.