I recently took two full weeks off work for the purpose of sleeping, crying, unpacking in my new space and unpacking the chaos that had cluttered my mind. It was a mental health week. The first time I had heard of a mental health day was way back in 2014 (lol ok not that long ago). It was when I was fresh out into the workplace and had never experienced the exhaustion that comes with mental stress and anxiety. It was not until this year; while I've been dealing with such exhaustion that I realised the importance of taking days off just for your mental well being.
When I returned to work at 9am last week I was far from ready and far from refreshed. But I had caught the burn out in the middle; rather than catching it too late. And thats why I encourage everyone and anyone to take time for YOU. Whether it is a week or one day; you need it. In todays world looking after yourself is so undervalued. Particularly as gen-y woman. We are constantly on the go, beating ourselves up for not doing enough or being enough or living enough. And you know what? It is so ok to take time to breath. More than anything I encourage it.
〰〰
WHEN AND WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A BREAK
When the stress is starting to show and you feel as though you're beginning to crumble. When you reach a point of extreme apathy, you just don't care. When you're at that point when you get home from work (or anything) and have to take a nap because exhausted. Thats when you should take a mental health day. Generally you will know when you're starting to feel bad and the trick is to catch it before its too late.
Why should you take a break with the sole purpose of doing nothing? Because you need to offer yourself the time to recharge. It is time for your body and mind to rest so that you can do that whole 'life thing' well. Otherwise you could get yourself into a very bad space.
〰〰
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A 2 WEEK MENTAL BREAK
~ Get outside and have adventures. I would highly recommend this. Rather than turning into a potato make sure you get outside and get active (I know, I know). But seriously a leisurely stroll outside can do wonders to your mood. So while you have the day off get out there and do it (after that nap of course).
~ Write a plan but be flexible. My first day off when I was sitting in my room all alone I panicked. Because I don't like being alone. And the thought of having two weeks ahead of me with no plans terrified me. So I wrote a wee plan. Fortunately my rocks (main friends) pulled through and filled my days with laughter.
~ Learn how to say NO and use your time doing the things you need to do. Its easy when people find out that you've taken some time off to ask you to do their chores. Learn how to say no, I can't today, I'm busy. As a side note I'm not very good at this.
~ Buy some flowers or treat yourself to something with the 'just because' reason. Because you DAMN WELL DESERVE A TREAT. So give one to yourself.
~ In short fill your days off doing the things you love, with the people you love and make sure you light up your life.
〰〰
WHAT DID I DO ON MY TWO WEEK MENTAL HEALTH DAY?
I set up my room and unpacked in my new lil space. I baked up a storm (because that is something that is so relaxing and calming to me nowadays). I did sweet little surprises for my friends bc that is what lights me up inside. I went on a beach picnic with Tara and it was so raw, lovely and connecting. I slept. I cried. I cried some more. I napped. I helped out with family things. Dylan had a birthday and a birthday party so that was fun. All my three main rocks together. I made midnight mash potato. Took my cousins to see a volcano and meet some sheep.Went iceskating at my lil cousins bday party. And a lamb showed up in my neighbours garden. We live in kingsland. It was confusing. I didn't get everything I wanted to do done. But the most important thing was that I got some rest. And my days were filled with recharging: be that napping and resting or getting out there and seizing the day.
I can not stress (ha ironic) enough how important taking 'mental healthy days' / love yourself days / breaks from life days really are. They are so freakin important and tho not necessarily the norm in todays culture it is something that should be. Have you ever considered taking a mental health day or have you in the past? Let me know in the comments below! Lets get a discussion going.
Post a Comment