Take an Effective Mental Health Day like a Boss
Your future self will thank you for it.
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, tired, you can see a burn out is looming in the horizon or maybe you are already there. Maybe you have heard of “mental health day” by your favorite celeb like Selena Gomez or Venus Williams, or maybe you watched Simon Biles do it in real time in front of millions of people. Now, you too can take a mental health day with zero shame like a boss. Here are some ways to make it count:
Plan ahead: Decide in advance what you would like to do on your mental health day. Having a plan can help you stay focused and make the most of your time.
Disconnect: Consider disconnecting from social media, email, or any other sources of stress. Taking a break from technology can help you feel more present and reduce stress.
Prioritize self-care: Focus on activities that promote self-care, such as taking a bath, reading a book, or going for a walk. Think about doing activities that make you feel good and help you relax.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness activities, such as meditation or yoga, can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Give some thought to incorporating a mindfulness practice into your mental health day.
Connect with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones can be a helpful way to boost your mood and feel supported. Try scheduling a lunch date or spending time with a friend or family member.
Get outside: Spending time in nature has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits. Consider going for a walk or spending time outside on your mental health day.
Reflect: Take some time to reflect on what is causing stress in your life and consider any changes you can make to improve your overall well-being.
Remember that an effective mental health day is one that helps you feel more relaxed, refreshed, and in tune with your mental and emotional needs. It's important to prioritize activities that make you feel good and help you recharge, so that you can return to your daily life feeling more energized and focused.
Try not to over think it, and definitely leave shame out of it, and if any feelings of shame or guilt come up, tune in to their source, where did you learn to feel bad about taking care of yourself or not being available 100% of the time for others. Make a note of those feelings and source in a journal or voice memo and get on with your plan. Your future self will thank you!
