Lewis Capaldi – How success can affect your mental health

by | Jul 4, 2023 | HR Blog

Lewis Capaldi struggled to complete his Glastonbury set on Saturday 24 June, due to voice issues that nearly stopped him from singing his last few songs. He became emotional, referred to his mental health, and apologised to the crowds, who in response helped him finish. Within days, he announced he would be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future to look after his mental and physical health.

His struggle had an impact on him – at work! Unfortunately, he is not alone.

A recent study shows that successful people are more likely to deal with depression and anxiety. Very high expectations, more stigma for seeking help and longer periods of isolation because of their excessive to-do list – all together this can affect mental health, leaving successful people feeling very drained.

Success is different for every individual and is not just money or a prestigious job position. Your mental health and self-confidence may suffer if you only measure your success against someone else’s. Therefore, defining your perception of success clearly is crucial if you want to make decisions that will help you realise your long-term goals. In the end, you’ll feel empowered as you achieve your objectives, whilst we work towards a society that promotes mental health for everyone. At the end of a day, our good well-being, both mental and physical, should be the most important measure of a successful life.

Remember, in life or in the workplace:

  • It is ok not to be ok! You don’t have to choose between having good mental health and achieving the success you aspire to.
  • Taking a break from work is a necessity for your productivity and focus, ensure that you book time off for rest and relaxation.
  • Making a list of the things in your life that make you happy and important to you, is a fantastic approach to keep yourself on track and balance both. So, write the things down and keep track of them – being happy is being successful.
  • Asking for help is not failing. Suffering through a stressful situation at work won’t help anyone—not you, your manager, or your coworkers. The more we put off seeking assistance, the worse things could get and the less alternatives there are to fix them.

McKinney HR can provide support for employee wellbeing case management or initiatives. If you need any assistance with this subject area, please don’t hesitate to contact us at support@mckinneyhr.co.uk