How To Take A Mental Health Day

We’ve all been there. You’re feeling stressed out from work, school, or home and just need a break. But taking a day off can seem impossible. How do you justify it to your boss? Or your parents? Or yourself?

Well, there’s nothing wrong with taking a mental health day. Everyone needs to take one now and then. So, let’s discuss that a bit further.

What Is A Mental Health Day?

A board that says mental health day on it

Mental health days are when you take a day off from your regular routines, such as work or school, to focus on your mental health. It’s a day to relax, de-stress, and reset. 

It can help you avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. So, don’t think of it as a day you lose, but rather as a day you use to fall back into your everyday routine with more energy. 

How Do I Know If I Need A Mental Health Day?

The easy answer is that everyone should take one at least once a month, according to psychologists. But there are a few signs that you might need a mental health day. Such as if you’re:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
  • Having trouble concentrating
  • Feeling anxious or depressed
  • Not sleeping well
  • Irritable or short-tempered

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it might be time to take a mental health day.

The Benefits Of A Mental Health Day

Mental health with many different factors around it

Mental health days can have several benefits for your physical and psychological well-being.

It can help you:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Improve your sleep quality
  • Boost your mood and energy levels
  • Increase your productivity
  • Improve your concentration

So, with all these benefits, why hesitate? The answer: you shouldn’t. This may lead you to wonder how to take a mental health day. Let’s discuss that next. 

How To Take A Mental Health Day

Now that we’ve gone over what a mental health day is and how it can benefit you, let’s talk about how to take one.

Stay Relaxed

When you’re feeling stressed, it can be hard to relax. But taking a mental health day is all about relaxation.

So, do things that will help you relax and de-stress. It might include taking a tai chi class, qi gong, yoga, going for a walk in nature, reading your favorite book, or taking a relaxing bath.

Another way to relax is to sit back and enjoy a calming cup of stress relief tea. Refua Medicinals stress-energy balance tea is certainly a good one!

Get Plenty Of Rest

A clock looking at the camera while a person sleeps.

If you’re feeling tired, make sure to get plenty of rest. This means getting a whole night’s sleep and taking breaks during the day to rest your mind and body. You might also want to take a nap or two during the day.

Many studies support the benefits of sleep for your mental health. So, ensuring you get enough rest is a great way to feel better. 

If you struggle with this, look for something to help you sleep and rest while you are sleeping. For a more herbal approach, you can try some sleep-ease tea. However, if you’d prefer a more traditional method, consider getting sleep-ease nutraceuticals instead. 

Eat Healthily

Two bowls with healthy food inside them.

Eating healthy foods can help improve your mood and energy levels.  Whole foods, little to no processed foods, taking the time to cook for yourself and loved ones!

Exercise

Exercise is an outstanding way to reduce stress and improve your mental health. So, ensure you get moving on your mental health day. 

Some typical exercises are walking, running, or riding a bike. However, it doesn’t need to be limited to these kinds. You can also dance, swim, climb a mountain, or play tennis or basketball; as long as you’re safe. 

Furthermore, you can try relaxation techniques like Tai Chi, qi gong, yoga. Whatever form of exercise you choose, as long as you’re active, it’s worth it. 

Take Time For Yourself

Make sure to spend time on your own, doing things you enjoy. This might include taking a trip to the spa, movies, or a walk on the beach. 

The purpose of this time isn’t to feel alone but to give yourself a breather from everything around you. Remember, if you love yourself, then you won’t feel alone. 

So, take time to give yourself some love as well. It will help you love others more deeply in the long run. 

Have Fun

As mentioned, a mental health day is all about taking care of yourself. So, make sure to do things that you enjoy and make you happy. 

You can drag along friends, family, or other loved ones here. Go out, do something you enjoy. It’s also essential that you don’t fall in with someone else’s plans, make plans of your own, and invite people.

Also, tell everyone that it’s your mental health day, so they can support you in whatever you choose. It will help you relax and throw all your troubles away.

Make Changes If Needed

Blocks that spell out change and chance.

Not only is it important to know how to take a mental health day. It’s also essential that you learn how not to need one. 

If you constantly need a mental health day, it might be time to make some changes in your life. It might include reducing work hours, taking on fewer responsibilities, or finding a new job. Whatever you do, ensure it’s something that will help reduce your stress levels.

Pick Up A Hobby

A black board asking "what's your hobby?"

One way to reduce stress is to pick up a hobby. Doing something that you think you’ll enjoy can help take your mind off of your troubles and help you relax. 

A few great options are:

  • Knitting
  • Painting
  • Gardening
  • Archery
  • Learning a new instrument
  • Fishing
  • Building puzzles

Anything that requires focus and will distract you from your responsibilities will work. 

Talk To A Friend

Two friends busy laughing while they talk.

If you’re feeling overcome, it can be helpful to talk to a friend. Having a conversation with someone who understands what you’re going through can help you feel better and might even give you some practical advice. 

However, it’s crucial to note that even if the person only listens and doesn’t say anything, simply talking about how you feel can lift a weight off your chest. So, if you’re feeling stressed, reach out to a friend.

Explore The Outdoors

Few things compare to spending time in nature to help reduce stress. In addition, exploring the outdoors can help you feel more connected to the world around you and can help boost your mood. 

You can go on a one-day trip to somewhere beautiful, or spend some time in your garden. But, taking some time to breathe in the outside air can help you feel at peace. 

In addition, try to find something to appreciate outside. It can be a flower’s beauty, the sound of the ocean or wind between the trees, or a hard-working ant. Simply try to appreciate the small things the earth has to offer. 

Start A Gratitude Journal

A person writing in journal what they are grateful for.

Another way to reduce stress is to focus on the positive things in your life. A great way to do this is to start a gratitude journal. Throughout the day, take some time to write down things for which you’re grateful.

What’s great is that you can continue to do this even after your mental health day is over. It can help shift your focus from the negative to the positive and can help reduce stress.

Practice Deep Breathing

Learning to do deep breathing is an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety. When you practice deep breathing, you can take slow, deep breaths, which help to calm the body and mind.

Take A Break From Tech

Finally, a fantastic way to take a mental health day is to leave all technology behind. If you constantly feel bombarded with news and notifications, taking a break from technology can be helpful. 

This tech break can help reduce stress and help you feel more relaxed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnect from your devices and take some time for yourself.

Is One Day Enough?

Blocks that spell out staycation and vacation.

For some, a mental health day might be all they need to reduce stress and improve their mental well-being. But for others, it might not be enough.

Sometimes it’s better to plan a more extended break, like a staycation or vacation, for that matter. The essential thing to remember is to prioritize your mental health at all times.

Furthermore, it may be wise to seek professional help if you’re struggling with mental health issues. There are many resources available to help you get the treatment you need. After all, that’s what they do. 

Take A Break

Mental health days are a great way to take a break from work and recharge. In addition, they can help improve your mood and increase productivity in the long run.

If you decide that taking a mental health day is right for you, follow the above tips for the best possible experience.

Feel free to browse our various products to help you enjoy your mental health day. Alternatively, you can continue reading our blog for more exciting articles. 

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