It's no secret that your teams are stressed for many reasons, including a volatile political climate, layoffs and business budget tightening, but Allison McWilliams, with Wake Forest University, writes that leaders should focus on what they can control and lead with kindness, understanding and consistency. "Great leaders provide clear, consistent communication and give people the information they need to be successful," McWilliams notes.

Put it into practice: Your team consists of humans who feel stressed both at home and in the office, so as a leader, it's your job to give them the tools they need to succeed while holding them accountable, McWilliams writes. "The work of the leader is to achieve organizational goals, with and through the work of the people they lead."

You can instill what Julie Smith and Lori Ludwig with Performance Ally call "Vital Behaviors" in your teams through a five-step process that includes setting clear goals, identifying key performer groups, pinpointing vital behaviors, creating feedback loops and supporting employees in forming lasting habits. These behaviors help create consistency and can lead to improved performance across various metrics like quality and productivity, they write.

Put it into practice: Help your team build "Vital Behaviors" by creating the three pillars they need to make them habits: clear expectations, actionable feedback and the removal of barriers, Smith and Ludwig write. "When Vital Behaviors become a focal point, it lets everyone know which actions are top priorities."

Always be aware of your body language when talking with your team and others because non-verbal cues such as posture, facial expressions and tiny gestures can betray your feelings, writes leadership expert Cheryl Robinson. "The most impactful leaders understand that authority isn't about dominance but about inspiring trust and confidence; embodying strength and warmth creates an environment where ideas flourish, and team members feel valued," notes Robinson, who offers vital body language elements leaders should practice.

Put it into practice: Using body language well can help you master the art of being receptive while appearing formidable, Robinson writes. "Leaders who possess these qualities are open and inviting, yet they have an unmistakable aura of strength."

Exercising once or twice a week -- or being a "weekend warrior" -- may reduce the risk of cognitive decline as well as having a more regular exercise routine, researchers reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Weekend exercisers had a 25% lower risk of mild dementia, compared with nonexerciseres, and regular exercisers had an 11% lower risk.

Researchers have discovered a layer of methane ice almost 10 kilometers thick beneath the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, which might help detect signs of life from the subsurface ocean, according to a study in The Planetary Science Journal. The methane ice could warm the ice shell, aiding the rise of potential biomarkers, and the finding could also enhance understanding of Titan's methane-rich atmosphere and carbon cycle.

As leaders, we're human too, which means we may well be stressed out about things, be it the political climate, the literal climate or family concerns. Allison McWilliams reminds us that in both good and bad times, "the work of leadership is always about the people."

This means that when you're with your team, you must acknowledge the tension and how it affects each member. You must give them space to be heard but reinforce boundaries and train them how to engage respectfully with one another.

As often as possible, remind them of their common goals as a team, shifting focus away from divisions. As their leader, though, you must try to remain as neutral as possible. By staying calm, professional and focused, you model the behavior you want from them, which will help them focus on the task at hand.

Regularly check in with your direct reports to see how they're feeling overall. Encourage your team to take breaks, practice mindfulness and take advantage of any mental health resources your organization offers. If possible, arrange for a workshop or seminar on stress management.

Finally, be gentle with yourself. It's okay to acknowledge your stress, but only with trusted friends, family, colleagues and advisors who are not members of your team.

As McWilliams reminds us: "There will always be internal and external stressors that impact the people and the work, and many of those stressors will be beyond the leader's control. But when they lead from a place of clarity, consistency and kindness, then the outcomes and the culture will follow."

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