You may have heard of mental health days, but never felt like your situation necessitated one. Just like with physical health, preventative care is an important part of maintaining stability: you don’t have to wait for something to go wrong to give yourself a break. So, whether you’re in crisis mode, feeling burned out or just in a bit of a lull, here are some tips on taking a day for yourself.
Don’t Be Productive
For many people, as soon as they get a day off, their first instinct is to make a list of chores. However, the goal of taking a mental health day is not productivity. So, forget about the cleaning or the laundry you need to do for a while, and just take some time for you.
Eat Well
Good nutrition is foundational to your physical and mental health. A day of from university or work is a great excuse to treat yourself to your comfort foods. This might mean a delicious home-cooked meal if you enjoy the culinary arts, or more realistically, your favourite takeaway.
See also: How To Deal With Homesickness At University
Exercise
What better way to look after your mind than to go out and release some endorphins? Whether you enjoy workouts or just popping outside for a walk, getting some exercise is a surefire way to brighten your day. Don’t push yourself, though — just take it easy and enjoy where you’re at.
Choose A Relaxing Activity
Just like with chores, many workaholics treat relaxation with a productivity mentality – ‘I’m going to do yoga AND go swimming AND get a massage!’ You don’t need to put that much effort in, and oftentimes it can be counterproductive. Instead, choose one thing and take your time with it. You might choose to read a book, take a nice long bath, or just watch Netflix all day. For extraverts, you might recharge by spending some time with friends and loved ones.
Reflect
Use this time to reflect on the emotions you’re feeling. Have you been able to switch off your working brain, or do certain stressful thoughts keep coming up? If you found an activity that was relaxing, is that something you can incorporate into your day-to-day? Also consider your mental state as a whole. In many cases, a single day off isn’t enough to make you feel 100%, and that’s okay. There are plenty of avenues you can go down, such as taking a longer vacation, or consulting with a doctor or mental health professional.
See also: How To Deal With Burnout