Planning to Take a Mental Health Day? Here’s How You Can Take Full Advantage of Its Benefits

 

Stress is something we all experience. It might stem from our job, our relationships, or our home life. And it can lead to mental health issues like anxiety or depression. It can also lead to burnout.

If at any point you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed by stress, it might be time to take a mental health day.

There are different ways of taking time off to focus on your wellbeing; what works best will vary from person to person. However, the basic is this: you book a day off, take a break from your responsibilities, and re-energize.

Taking a mental health day can help you avoid burnout. Burnouts are usually preceded by periods of stress, and can be mentally exhausting in and of themselves. Even if you’re not fully burnt out, you might get the feeling that you’re not the best version of yourself. This alone can make it hard to find satisfaction, both personally and professionally.

Not all of us are able to take mental health days. But if you are able to schedule some time off, it’s worth taking advantage of it. Below are some ideas to help you maximize those mental health days.

To start off, make sure you get enough rest the night before your day off. This will help you wake up feeling energized, will support good mental health, and will help you make the most out of your day off.

 

 

Once you’re up, try not to spend hours staring at a screen. Whether it’s the computer, television, or especially your phone, turn it off and do a stimulating activity instead. Consider reading a book, painting, drawing, or even sketching. This will help your mind to recharge.

 

 

Connect with friends and family. This is so important, especially when it comes to bringing more positivity and inspiration to your life. If you’re able to, and it’s safe to do so, meet up with them at a local park, or go for a walk.

 

 

Make sure to also make this a “Me Day.” Just because you’re re-charging, doesn’t mean you have to spend the day in bed. Take this time to treat yourself. Maybe go for a massage at your favourite spa, get a manicure-pedicure done, or take a trip to a museum. Do something you will enjoy, that will also help you feel relaxed.

 

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