CEO Mental Fitness: Why CEOs Should Care

A mentally fit brain

Remember when we had to go to gym class? It was always a required course throughout K-12: Physical Fitness. And even now, so many of us go to the gym to stay fit and feel like we’re doing something to maintain our health.

And yet, there has never been any discussion about mental fitness until now. Post-pandemic, mental illness is affecting both employees and CEOs. And as the baby boomers age, dementia is on the rise. Even so, we talk about mental illness, not mental fitness. Are we to assume that the brain takes care of itself?

When I was a kid, I did a lot of dumb things. Still do. Some things never change. And my Dad would just look at me, shake his head, and say, “Willie, what were you thinking? You’ve got to learn to use your head.” The problem was, no one ever taught me how. So I assumed that if I filled my head with a bunch of stuff, memorized all the state capitals, and got good grades, I’d be okay.

Unfortunately, knowing a lot doesn’t mean that we can think critically, figure things out, or make good decisions. No. Some of the smartest people do the dumbest things. We don’t need to look any further than Elon Musk—a pretty smart guy who consistently attracts attention for all the wrong reasons.

We have to teach ourselves how to think. This is what mental fitness is all about.

CEO Mental Fitness integrates how your brain works, its interaction with the body, and the mind’s impact on how you think and act to optimize your cognitive acuity and leadership.

The truth is, it’s not all in our heads. The bacteria in our gut determine how well we think and feel. Ever have a “gut feeling” about something? Additionally, our heart sends electrical signals to our brain that influence our thinking. Sometimes our “heart just isn’t into” something. 

And on top of it all, our brain is a drug addict and it maintains a 24/7/365 onboard pharmacy to manufacture and dispense the drugs it needs. Those drugs, otherwise known as neurochemicals, determine how we react to various situations and conditions.

CEO Mental Fitness is about taking responsibility for your thoughts and feelings. Above all, it's about self-awareness. Knowing that our body and mind are intricately connected and impact each other. Showing up well, succeeding, and making good decisions is more than being smart; it’s about knowing how to use our heads.

To get started, here are 10 action steps you can take right now to get mentally fit:

1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

2. Go outside early in the morning and get at least 10 minutes of sunshine.

3. Eat 30 different plants and vegetables each week.

4. Sip water throughout the day.

5. Get some movement every hour, even if it’s only a few minutes.

6. Wear a fitness tracker, monitor your activity levels, and set some goals.

7. Get a complete blood test once a year and understand where your markers are in relation to optimal levels.

8. Do your most important work and have your most important meetings early in the day.

9. Drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning, and avoid coffee for the first hour.

10. Read a book a week.