How to Take Care of Yourself on a Mental Health Day
When it comes to mental health, it’s important to take care of yourself and your loved ones. This includes spending time with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Sometimes, taking a mental health day can be just what you need to get through a stressful situation or even to help prevent burnout. When you’re able to step away from work and other stressors, you’ll be much more refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead.
1. Take a break from work
A mental health day is a great opportunity to take time away from work and focus on your personal well-being. It can help you avoid burnout and prevent crisis situations.
A break from work can also improve your productivity and help you get more done. It will also help you focus on your tasks and eliminate stress-related distractions.
Many people feel overwhelmed at work and neglect to take breaks. Even taking minutes-long breaks throughout the day can help promote clearer thinking and increased productivity.
A break from work can be beneficial for everyone, but it’s especially important for people who have mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. When you have a mental health day, you can plan your break around your needs and spend the time on activities that are soothing and relaxing.
2. Take a walk
While there is no substitute for professional mental health treatment, taking a walk can be a powerful self-care practice. It can help you relax and de-stress, relieve depression and anxiety, and boost your immune system.
The act of walking can also be very therapeutic, allowing you to connect with nature and feel your surroundings in a meaningful way. And it can be done almost anywhere you are.
During your walk, try to focus on all the sensations you’re feeling in your body and what they might be telling you about your emotions. This could include tension in your shoulders, a tightening feeling in your chest, or a headache.
A mental health day is a great time to get away from the distractions of your job, but you might find that you need to be a bit creative to decide how to use it. Whether you need to spend time in nature, get a massage, or go to the gym, think ahead about how you’ll use your day and set goals that are attainable and energizing.
3. Go for a run
Getting outside and moving can be a great way to reduce stress and improve mental health. Running is often seen as a great exercise for the body, but it has many mental benefits as well.
A run can release feel-good endorphins into your body which can help to relieve anxiety and boost mood. It is also known to lower stress and reduce symptoms of depression, and it can help with sleep.
While some people struggle to set a running routine or feel motivated to run, getting started is easier than you think. Start by setting small goals and sticking to them.
4. Spend time with friends
If you have friends who are experiencing mental health challenges, try to spend some time with them. You can listen to them talk about their struggles and offer support.
If they are struggling with a serious mental illness, be supportive and encourage them to seek help. This will not only make them feel better, but it may also prevent them from going into a deeper depression or having a panic attack.
It can be hard for some people to take a break from their daily responsibilities, but it is important for your health and well-being. Taking a mental health day can increase engagement and diligence, improving attitude, morale and productivity.
5. Do something you enjoy
If you’re feeling stressed out or burnt out, you need to take a mental health day. Whether you need to get away from the office for a while or just relax, a mental health day is a great way to give yourself some much-needed rest and reset.
It’s also a great way to prevent burnout. Often, it’s not obvious when you need a break, but the physical symptoms of stress — chronic anger or irritability, headaches and stomachaches, or just general sadness or anxiety — can be signs.
If you’re not sure whether you need a mental health day, it’s helpful to have a talk with your boss or co-workers about it. They might be able to give you some tips on how to best use your time off and make sure you get the most out of it.
