Take a mental health day – a day off specifically for you to reflect and relieve any built-up stress. It’s just one day, yes but it gets us into the notion of doing better for ourselves and treating ourselves better.
What to do on a mental health day
An off-day could be whatever you want it to be right? But a mental health day is about intentionally and mindfully taking care of yourself.
Every day should be a chance to nurture yourself this way but on days where that’s not always possible your mental health off-day is a reward to yourself.
Here’s how to intentionally have a good mental health day.
Check-in with yourself
Get out your journal or sit in a quiet space – whatever works for you and check-in with yourself. We move on a day to day basis as life goes by us so quickly but this check-in is a time to slow down, breathe and reflect. Ask yourself questions such as:
How do I feel in the present moment?
What can I let go that no longer serves me?
What inspires me?
What am I tired of and what can I do to change that?
It’s not until we ask ourselves meaningful questions that we realise we need some change.
Do what you feel you need most
Take a few full breaths and do a little scan of your body. This is an effective way to decide what you’re going to be doing for the day based on how you feel and what you need.
If you feel you need to relax, do so. If relaxing means you’re in bed in PJ’s, binge-watching your favourite TV series – then that’s perfectly fine just as long as it’s not a regular thing.
If you feel you want to get active for the day take that walk, hit the gym or turn to your hobbies.
Reminders:
- You don’t have to avoid family and friends on this day, especially if they’re your support system.
- Your mental health day should consist of healthy choices so try not to smoke, drink or consume other substances.
- Cut out distractions such as social media
- Make it a healthy eating day too.
