Psychology Today: 30 Ways to Take Advantage of a Mental Health Day

"Writer Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., writes that, while "one day might not solve heavy underlying problems that lead to burnout, a mental health day can provide a much-needed break to pause, regroup, and come back with greater levels of energy and a fresh, less-stressed perspective.”

Whether you have one day a week, or just one day, for a mental health break you don’t want to waste it worrying about how to leverage it.

One option, of course, is to wake up and follow your natural instincts about what your body, mind, and soul need that day.

But if not having a plan will make you more anxious than less, then here are 30 options to consider to make the most of your “you” day:

1. Walk, run, swim, stretch or do some other physical activity
2. Cook something special (or order something special)
3. Light a new candle or spray a fragrance in your house
4. Call a friend or family member who makes you feel happy and important
5. Put on a playlist of songs that lift your spirits
6. Declutter one small area of your home or office
7. Take an online course on something you’re interested in learning more about
8. Look through old photos that remind you of people and places you love
9. Watch a comedy special with a favorite or new comedian
10. Meet up with someone in person who has nothing to do with your work
11. Schedule an appointment with your company’s Employee Assistance Program, or another mental health professional
12. Have a session with a coach, healer, energy worker, etc.
13. Pray
14. Meditate
15. Hire a personal organizer for a few hours
16. Visit an acupuncturist
17. Spend some unstructured time with your kids
18. Have someone else take the kids for a few hours so you can have some unstructured time for yourself
19. Get your hands dirty (paint, plant, bake, etc.)
20. Get a manicure, pedicure, or haircut
21. Have someone clean your house while you put your feet up
22. Get a massage
23. Read a book you’ve been saving for a special day
24. Spend extra time with your pet
25. Walk around a new neighborhood, museum, park, or store
26. Take yourself to the movies, theater, or live music
27. Nap in the middle of the day
28. Go be near a body of water
29. Finish one or two small projects that have been keeping you preoccupied, so that you can have closure
30. Turn off your phone and email for an hour, the afternoon, or the whole day, so that you can really relish this time that just for you."

Read the full article here!

Reflection:

What do you do on your mental health days?

#MentalHealthDay #Stress #Burnout