We Asked Managers How They Unwind After a Stressful Day At Work
Peeking into managers’ downtime routines, one unwind at a time.
After a long, grueling day at work, we delved into the minds of managers to find out their rituals for unwinding.
Each has their own way to escape. Some find peace in nature’s sounds, like leaves rustling and birds singing. For others, meditation is all it takes.
“As a manager or leader, at what point do things become stressful for you, and how do you relax and unwind afterward?”
Manage Tasks and Maintain Well-Being Routine
When stress kicks in, it’s often because I’m juggling too many tasks at once and worrying too much about future outcomes rather than focusing on what needs to be done first.
This habit can delay progress and trigger anxiety. On top of that, if my routine is off, stress tends to creep in.
That’s why I prioritize maintaining a solid well-being routine, ensuring I nurture my mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health through daily and weekly practices.
Rebecca Visser, Holistic Life & Business Coach, Crescent Coaching
Prioritize Self-Care and Unplug on Days Off
As a manager, stress levels tend to peak when I’m juggling multiple high-priority deadlines or facing a complex issue with far-reaching implications.
Having the weight of important decisions that impact the team on my shoulders can feel overwhelming at times.
When things get really intense, I make a conscious effort to step away, even if just for a brief break.
Going for a walk, practicing some deep-breathing exercises, or listening to relaxing music helps me hit the mental reset button.
I also make self-care a priority by unplugging completely on my days off to recharge through hobbies, quality time with loved ones, or just a lazy day of rest and relaxation.
Shambhu Kadel, Founder, KBA Global
Journal to Reflect and Gain Clarity
As the founder of a life-coaching company, stress often comes from resolving conflicts within my team and ensuring that internal challenges never impact our clients’ journey, especially under tight deadlines.
These situations demand both strong leadership and emotional intelligence to listen to every perspective and find a consensus.
To manage this stress and maintain my focus, I often end my days with journaling.
Writing down my thoughts and challenges allows me to process my emotions and reflect on the situation with more distance.
Bayu Prihandito, Founder, Psychology Consultant, Life Coach for Men, Life Architekture
Balance Innovation with Relaxing Outdoor Activities
I often experience the highest levels of leadership stress when balancing innovation with operational stability, especially in our industry, where customer confidence and data integrity are at the top of the agenda.
To relax, I take a break from social media. Outdoor activities like hiking give me the mental energy to overcome obstacles.
Spending quality time with my family and friends helps me stay grounded in my values, which are at the core of my professional life.
Uku Tomikas, CEO, Messente
Set Clear Expectations and Engage in Physical Activity
I’ve often found that the majority of my stress has come from a lack of setting proper expectations on the front end or from not inspecting my expectations as time goes on.
These two key frameworks are essential to reducing my stress level and keeping things at bay.
When I fail to do those, I often find that physical activity and mentally disconnecting from the task at hand for a bit always allow me the mental break and ability to zoom out and relax.
Matthew Sanjari, Founder and Business Coach, PRIME Consulting
Nature and Exercise for Stress Relief
Stress peaks for me when decisions directly impact our company’s direction, and our employees’ well-being is on the line.
During these high-stakes moments, balancing the immediate needs with the long-term vision requires a calm mind and clear thinking.
To unwind, I turn to nature and physical activity — mountain biking through forests or long-distance running.
These activities not only provide a physical release but also offer a form of moving meditation, allowing me to clear my head, refocus, and approach challenges with renewed perspective and energy.
Valentin Radu, CEO & Founder, Blogger, Speaker, Podcaster, Omniconvert
Drive to Break Routine and Reset Emotionally
Stress peaks during periods of rapid, complex decision-making, especially regarding legal issues or employee layoffs, where the emotional toll is significant.
I like to go on a drive, mostly outside the city.
My main focus is something that breaks my routine.
Spending time with my children and engaging in the activities they enjoy also helps me reset emotionally.
Meditate and Run for a Mental Reset
For me, stress peaks when I’m juggling tight deadlines across multiple projects, especially when unexpected challenges pop up, throwing plans off track.
It feels like a test of my ability to stay calm under pressure and find solutions quickly.
To unwind, I turn to a mix of meditation and running.
Meditation helps me center my thoughts and regain my calm, acting as a mental reset.
Running, on the other hand, is my physical stress-buster. It’s when I can let my mind wander, sometimes even sparking creative solutions to problems I’ve been stewing over.
Bhavik Sarkhedi, Growth Head & CMO, Content Whale
Jog Through Nature to Navigate Imperfections
As the person steering our outdoor gym equipment business, stress often mounts when the harmony between demand and our capacity to supply teeters off balance.
A particular instance that comes to mind is when a sudden spike in orders collided with a supply chain snag, leaving us scrambling.
It’s in these moments of imperfection that I find my stress peaking.
My solace is to retreat into the very essence of our business — nature.
There’s nothing quite like a jog through the trails, with the crisp air filling my lungs.
It offers a palpable sense of peace, reminding me that perfection isn’t the goal — it’s navigating through the imperfections with grace.
Lucas Riphagen, Co-owner, TriActiveUSA
Morning Runs Rejuvenate Amid Operational Challenges
In my role at the helm of a sportswear business that champions an active lifestyle, stress often creeps in when the delicate balance between innovation and operational harmony is threatened.
A specific instance that comes to mind is when we were launching a new product line and faced unexpected supply chain disruptions.
The pressure to meet deadlines, maintain quality, and ensure team morale stayed high was immense.
To unwind from such stress, I turn to the very essence of our brand’s mission: I go for long runs in the quiet of the early morning.
There’s something incredibly rejuvenating about feeling the fresh air against my skin, allowing my thoughts to flow freely.
Jay Barton, CEO & Founder, ASRV
Take Breaks and Practice Mindfulness
Things start getting stressful for me when deadlines are looming, and there’s a lot of pressure to deliver results.
To unwind, I have a few strategies that help me decompress.
Firstly, I make sure to take short breaks throughout the day, whether it’s a walk around the office or a quick stretch session.
This helps me clear my mind and refocus on the tasks at hand.
I find solace in spending time outdoors, whether it’s going for a hike or simply sitting in the park. Being in nature helps me relax and gain perspective.
James Owen, Co-Founder & Director, Click Intelligence
Fishing for Solitude and Stress Relief
I run a renovation company, and things go wrong all the time; there are just so many moving parts that it’s impossible to avoid.
I can handle a few conflicts, but when every single part of a project seems to go wrong, that’s when I start spiraling and really getting stressed.
The way I unwind is by going fishing. Just me on the lake, in peace and quiet, with the fish.
I don’t think about anything else; I’m not doing anything else. It’s the best way to put some space between me and the business.
Rick Berres, Owner, Honey-Doers
Dive into “The Zen by Alan Watts” for a refreshing perspective on finding serenity amid the hustle and bustle of managerial responsibilities.
Here’s the book summary by LeadLearnLeap:
