Mamaearth’s Ghazal Alagh shares 4 rules she follows to protect her mental well-being!

In the world of high-stakes entrepreneurship, where the pressures of building a successful company intersect with the everyday responsibilities of family life, maintaining mental well-being often becomes a silent struggle. Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of the beauty and wellness brand Mamaearth, is no stranger to this dynamic. As a leader of a rapidly growing enterprise valued in the thousands of crores and a hands-on mother, Ghazal has developed a conscious and structured approach to protecting her mental health.

In a recent reflective post on LinkedIn, she shared four powerful rules that help her remain grounded, focused, and resilient. These principles offer a roadmap for entrepreneurs and anyone looking to preserve their mental clarity in an increasingly chaotic world. Let’s take a deeper look at these rules, their significance, and how they can be practically integrated into everyday life.

1. Mental Clarity Is a Leadership Skill

Ghazal begins her day deliberately without the distraction of digital devices. This means no email, no social media, no instant messages — at least not until she has carved out quiet time for reading and reflection. By setting aside this sacred window in the morning, she creates space for mental clarity before the inevitable demands of the day take hold.

She believes that this mental clarity isn’t a luxury; it’s a leadership skill. Leaders are constantly required to make high-impact decisions, manage diverse teams, and handle unexpected challenges. Starting the day with a calm and clear mind ensures she enters the workspace with intentionality rather than reactivity.

Why it matters: Research supports this approach. Studies have shown that our cognitive function is sharpest in the morning. By avoiding mental clutter first thing in the day, individuals can maximize this productive window.

How to apply it:

• Establish a no-phone zone for the first 30–60 minutes of your day.

• Replace screen time with journaling, reading, or simply sitting in silence.

• Choose one question to reflect on each morning: What do I want from today?

2. Communication Reflects Leadership, Even When You’re Tired

Leadership is often romanticized as bold, decisive action, but Ghazal emphasizes that how we speak, especially under stress, reveals much more about our leadership style. She acknowledges that even on her most exhausted days, she tries to be mindful of her tone and energy when interacting with others.

She practices self-awareness by checking in with herself before reacting. If she feels overwhelmed or short-tempered, she takes a moment to regroup. This is particularly important when addressing her team or family members, where the emotional stakes can be high. Her goal is not to suppress emotion but to communicate with empathy and clarity.

Why it matters: Emotions are contagious. A leader’s mood can influence the morale of the entire team. Miscommunication caused by fatigue or frustration can quickly erode trust.

How to apply it:

• Create a habit of pausing before responding to triggering situations.

• Develop a phrase you can use to create space (e.g., “Let me gather my thoughts before I respond.”)

• Reflect at the end of each day: Was there a moment today where I could have responded better? What will I do differently tomorrow?

3. Presence Builds Trust

Multitasking may feel efficient, but it often comes at the cost of human connection. Ghazal made a conscious decision to stop multitasking during conversations, whether she’s in a work meeting or having dinner with her family. Her reasoning is simple: people want to feel seen and heard. When you are fully present with someone, you show them they matter.

This rule of presence is not just a family value but a professional strategy. Trust, whether among colleagues or loved ones, is built through consistency and attentiveness. By being fully engaged in each interaction, Ghazal fosters deeper relationships and more meaningful conversations.

Why it matters: Neuroscience confirms that our brains are not wired to do two cognitively demanding tasks simultaneously. “Switching” between tasks reduces productivity and weakens our social bonds.

How to apply it:

• Close your laptop or put your phone away during meetings and personal conversations.

• Make eye contact and listen actively — don’t just wait for your turn to speak.

• Schedule uninterrupted time for important conversations or family moments.

4. Structure Reduces Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue is a real and debilitating phenomenon. The more choices we make throughout the day, the more our mental energy depletes. Ghazal combats this by designing routines and systems that eliminate unnecessary decision-making. From fixed morning rituals to predetermined cut-off times for screen use, these structures help her reserve mental energy for what truly matters.

She doesn’t leave her schedule entirely up to chance. While flexibility is important, structure provides a reliable framework that reduces daily stress and builds momentum. It also creates predictability — something incredibly valuable when balancing work, parenting, and self-care.

Why it matters: Every decision you make — what to wear, what to eat, when to start working — drains a bit of mental energy. By automating the small stuff, you free up capacity for the bigger, strategic choices.

How to apply it:

• Simplify your morning and evening routines.

• Plan your meals, outfits, or workouts.

• Batch similar tasks together (e.g., emails in the morning, calls in the afternoon).

Conclusion: Intentional Living in a Demanding World

Ghazal Alagh’s mental well-being strategies are rooted in intention, not perfection. She does not claim to have all the answers but demonstrates that self-awareness and structure are key tools for navigating life’s demands.

What makes her approach especially powerful is its universality. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur or a public figure to benefit from these insights. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, a parent, or all of the above, Ghazal’s rules offer a grounded way to bring more calm, clarity, and connection into your life.

In a world where burnout is often normalized and hustle is glorified, Ghazal offers a refreshing counter-narrative: success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your sanity. Leadership can be kind. Productivity can be sustainable. And perhaps most importantly, mental well-being can — and should — be a daily priority.