WELLNESS WEDNESDAY~ 5/11/22 ("PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH")
WELCOME TO "WELLNESS WEDNESDAY" 5/11/22
☀️MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH☀️~
TOPIC IS: "PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH"
What is a Mental Health Day?
A mental health day is a day specifically dedicated to addressing your psychological and emotional needs. It’s not that one day off is going to solve everything, but taking one day can sometimes make a significant difference with regards to your overall mood and improving levels of stress and overwhelm. What is important is being able to acknowledge and be aware that you need to take a mental health day.
What you do with your mental health day is completely up to you! There’s no right or wrong answer. Maybe you stay in your pj’s all day and catch up on some sleep.... maybe you hit a workout class or spend the day in the sunshine.... or maybe you enjoy an afternoon put with friends, laughing or shopping.
Signs You Need a Mental Health Day:
There are a variety of signs and symptoms that indicate when you need to take a mental health day. Some of these include the following:
Feelings of increased stress and overwhelm, interference and impairment with daily functioning including work, school, & other responsibilities, feelings of burnout, irritability & increased frustration, low-stress tolerance, disruption of sleep or other activities of daily living, as well as feelings of depression, and fatigue, feeling disconnected
It’s important to take inventory of any changes you are experiencing that are different from your typical baseline behaviors and feelings. This will help give you an idea that something may be off, indicating a need to take care of your mental health.
The Benefits of a Mental Health Day:
There are innumerable benefits to taking a mental health day. Some of these may include feeling less stress and anxiety, feeling more connected to yourself and your values, feeling more energized and rejuvenated, feeling less irritable and more joyful, as well as being able to be more productive as it relates to work and other responsibilities.
Stepping back from your responsibilities temporarily can allow you to see things more rationally and objectively, allowing you to feel more in control and effectively problem solve issues at hand.
Effective Ways to Take a Mental Health Day:
#1 Get Outside (Add sunshine to your day)
#2 Unplug (turn off electronics)
#3 Engage in Your Hobbies (do something you love)
#4 Find Time For Calm (Engage in yoga or meditation)
#5 Find What Works For You
#6 Therapy: Talk it Out With A Professional
#7 Get to Sleep!
#8 Move Your Body in a Way That Feels Good
#9 Use Your Paid Time Off!
#10 Set Healthy Boundaries
#11 Boost Brain Health with Omegas
#12 Make Sure You’re Nourishing Your Body
#13 Plan Something to Look Forward to Each Week
#14 Treat Yourself to Holistic Self-Care
#15 Use Your Breathe to De-Stress
#16 Surround Yourself With Community (This could be a therapist, friend, spouse, support group, spiritual practice, or workout community.)
Protect Your Mental Health At All Costs
From therapy and support systems to breathing techniques and mental health days, let’s normalize protecting your mental health — at all costs. Call that friend. Take that mental health day. Book that massage or yoga class. Schedule that appointment with your therapist. All of these mental health hacks are here to help you! Take what you need.
QUESTIONS:
1.) Have you ever felt that you had to protect your Mental Health from something or someone? Did you find it easy or difficult to do?
2.) In what ways do you protect Your Mental Health?
3.) From those listed above which one is your favorite?
4.) Is there something that you do OR have done in the past that is Not listed above that works for you? Or that you'd like to share?
1.) Have you ever felt that you had to protect your Mental Health from something or someone? Did you find it easy or difficult to do?..... Yes absolutely....Its been both difficult and easy and has depended on the situation,..... but the older I get the easier I find that I have to do what is mentally healthy for "me" regardless of how it affects others.
2.) In what ways do you protect Your Mental Health?.....It depends on the situation...but Even if it means quitting doing something, or walking away from particular things or certain people that affect my mental health then I have to do what is best for me.
3.) From those listed above which one is your favorite?..... Of those listed above, probably getting out in sunshine on a sunny day (whether taking a drive, going on a getaway, walking my dog, or taking a swim)... But also planning something to do each week that I enjoy is another.
4.) Is there something that you do OR have done in the past that is Not listed above that works for you? Or that you'd like to share?.....I think something that really works for me to recharge my overall mental health for more than just a day or a moment has been getting away and taking a mini-vacation. Changing my scenery and the things around me has always helped recharge me tremendously in the past.
1.) Have you ever felt that you had to protect your Mental Health from something or someone? Did you find it easy or difficult to do?
i have had to protect my mental health- its what im doing now actually. I'm at a peer-led respite program, taking care of me. it's certainly not easy, but its sooo worth it.
2.) In what ways do you protect Your Mental Health?
Many ways- taking breaks as needed; avoiding unnecessary conflict; remembering to eat and sleep and take medications properly. I have learned that though I am not a delicate person per se, my mental health can be. so routine and consistency protects my mental health from spinning into chaos
3.) From those listed above which one is your favorite?
sleep lol
4.) Is there something that you do OR have done in the past that is Not listed above that works for you? Or that you'd like to share?
I like to find ways to spread positivity when i feel it- it magnifies my positive feelings, which helps immensely when it feels like there are few reasons to be positive
@optimisticDay6856
These are very awesome responses... I think thats great that you were able to make the decision for yourself to go to a respite care. We have a few of those near where I live. They sound like a great option for those who need them, and glad that you are finding benefit in it.
Thank you so much for sharing with us today. And hope that you are having a positive day for yourself.
