How to Plan a Mental Health Day For Stress Relief and Improved Well-Being
“A mental health day is intentional time scheduled for the purpose of focusing on your mental and emotional well-being.” - Jessica Herd, LMHC-D
Key Points:
A mental health day is intentional time or activity scheduled for the purpose of caring for your mental health.
A mental health day can look like many different things, but the purpose is to give yourself a break for relief.
Signs of burnout can signal that you could use a mental health day.
Jessica, what is a mental health day, and why would I need one?
Yes, there is really such a thing called a mental health day.
A mental health day is intentional time scheduled for the purpose of focusing on your mental and emotional well-being.
People might roll their eyes at the idea; employers and managers might question the validity of the request, but mental health days are a really important part of your self-care toolkit, integrated into an effective stress management regimen on a regular basis.
A mental health day can look different, depending on the person. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to this, but the purpose is to give your mind a break. A successful mental health day promotes relief from stress and improves your mood.
What are some signs that you could use a mental health day?
For starters, you can just choose to take a mental health day. You don’t need to wait until you start feeling overwhelmed or depleted. A consistent stress management system helps protect against burnout.
However, if you are starting to notice the signs of burnout, this is a sign that taking a mental health day shouldn’t be treated as optional.
Burnout is the emotional exhaustion experienced after a prolonged period of pushing past your limits, or producing in an environment from which you feel disconnected. Your mind and body will begin to break down.
Signs of burnout are:
-feeling overwhelmed at the thought of your work or personal life tasks
-exhaustion that sleep or a weekend away from work doesn’t resolve
-persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, and anger
-trouble sleeping
-low productivity at work
-isolation and loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
What are the benefits of taking a mental health day?
According to Mayo Clinic, the benefits of taking a mental health day include:
-reduced feelings of burnout
-improved morale and attitude
-improved resiliency
-prevention of mental health crisis
-improved physical health
When you take a mental health day, you give your mind a chance to refresh and your body an opportunity to exhale. Allowing yourself to rest leads to better outcomes mentally, physically, emotionally, and in your relationships. You will also find that your productivity at work and in other parts of your life will improve.
How do I plan a mental health day?
The main advice I have is - Don’t Wait until you need one to schedule time for one!
Here are some tips for planning your mental health day:
Do a body scan and check in with yourself.
Ask yourself, “What do I need most?” Is it rest, or to be re-invigorated?
Would time around other people feel rejuvenating? Or is a solo day the best way to recharge?
Which sounds better at the moment- comfort or adventure?
Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of money- a mental health day doesn’t have to cost you anything!
I hope this post gave you permission to slow down and inspired you to plan your next mental health day!
As Always, Be Well!
Warmly, Jessica Herd, LMHC-D
Jessica Herd, LMHC-D is licensed and works with psychotherapy clients in New York and Florida. Book a free consultation call today.
Resources:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial “988”
Text Crisis Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741
