Are you struggling with your mental health? Do you feel a sense of overwhelm and building pressure? Do you find it more and more difficult to balance your social, personal, and professional responsibilities?
American work culture pushes us to grind nonstop and then we’re expected to have energy left for social interactions. Here’s why you should break that cycle, put yourself first, and take a well-deserved mental health day!
Get Away From Stressors
The best part of a mental health day is being able to get away from all those things that are pushing you to burnout. Leave it all behind; whether it’s work, social, familial, or personal, make sure you set boundaries for yourself on your mental health day(s) that you’re not going to talk or think about these problems. Your mental health day is meant to support you, and if you’re letting the stress follow you, you’re not going to get the full benefits.
Reconnect With Yourself
When you’re go-go-going, it can be hard to take the time to center yourself and figure out what you really want and need. By taking a mental health day, you give yourself the time and space to sit down, sort through what you’re experiencing, and make sure your needs are taken care of so you can avoid a mental health crisis.
Boost Your Happy Chemicals
By embracing hobbies or making plans to look forward to (such as travel or attending a show) on your mental health days, you can increase the natural release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine in your brain. These chemicals are the ones responsible for your feelings of excitement, happiness, and satisfaction…and also the ones most likely to be affected by a mood disorder. By intentionally stimulating them, you're helping to improve your overall mental well-being.
Rest Is Important!
The key to any good mental health day is identifying what you need to recharge and then following through! If you need to spend some time with loved ones, do it. If you need to spend a full day in bed, do that. Whether you need social stimulation or social detox, there is no “one-size-fits-all” for what people collectively need to benefit from their mental health day. Identify what kind of activities (or lack thereof) will help you get the rest you need, and prioritize them.
Make Better Choices
When you’re feeling the growing pressure of stress and failing mental health, you’re not going to be in the best place to make decisions. By taking your mental health day, you can approach decision-making feeling refreshed and possibly with a new perspective.
So…what are you waiting for? Make a plan and get that mental health day on the calendar today!