Two-thirds of leaders have experienced burnout in the past year and 76% have felt overwhelmed by managing people during the pandemic, according to a study by Verizon Media and Made of Millions. Leaders share their own experiences of pandemic pressures and their tips for practicing self-care to prioritize their own, and their team's, mental health.

As director of Walmart's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Donald Fan says the retailer has strived to incorporate equity into every aspect of its hiring, onboarding and retention initiatives. Fan outlines how the approach works in six key areas, saying Walmart's "equity strategy aims to lev­el the playing field and ensure all employees feel psychologically safe to bring their whole selves to work."

A National Institute for Health Care Management survey found that 51% of respondents reported more mental health challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting an increased need for workplace mental wellness benefits. Employers can support mental well-being by fostering a caring, stigma-free culture; adding stress-relief tools and resources; and offering educational programs to improve understanding of mental health concerns.

A search for a better salary and benefits may partially explain why so many workers are quitting, but people also want the "emotional compensation" of an organizational culture that meets their needs, Michael Lee Stallard writes. Stallard offers Costco's long-running success as an example of a culture-led company and notes that emotional connection is even more important since the pandemic began.

Deadlifts. Incline flys. Lat pulldowns. Super sets, drop sets and giant sets. Mopping the sweat from my neck and swigging water from my gallon-size water bottle.

Getting ahead of burnout and stress means taking time for myself, doing the things I know my mind and body need to stay healthy, as we see in today’s top story. For me, that’s the gym and daily Bible study. They quiet me. They put structure in my day and cause me to be more mindful about my time, focus and food intake.

And when I do that, I am better able to manage stress. I can think more clearly and see the issues crowding my day. I can release the clutter and focus on what actually matters.

What do you do to fend off burnout? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.