Oh my goodness, life is HARD! Don’t you agree? Being an adult doing all those grown-up things when half the time you tend to forget you’re even an adult! All the waking up early. All the dealing with the kids and their whiny selves (love my son, but oh.my.goodness the whining!), and of course having to get three meals plus snacks on the table and in lunch boxes every.single.day.
It’s a lot, wouldn’t you agree?
But as adults, well, we’re pretty much expected to do it all. Every day. All day. No excuses. No half-assed efforts. It’s all got to get done.
Well, eventually, we are bound to get burnt out, exhausted, and on the verge of a melt-down over time. I don’t know about you, but I can only handle about three temper tantrums a day caused by me asking the 8 year old to turn off the tv! And as much as I would like to, going on vacation every couple weeks just isn’t feasible for my bank account.
So I wanted to talk to you about taking a mental health day. Some people hear mental health and assume that maybe you’re dealing with depression or something more serious, but a mental health day is meant for everyone!
What Exactly is a Mental Health Day?
How does this whole mental health day work? Well, you take the day off, for starters. Whether it’s from your job outside the home and you use a sick or vacation day (those days aren’t meant JUST for vacation). Or a break from your house-duties with the help of your spouse, a neighbor, or family.
This is a day where laundry and cleaning will be put on the back-burner. Don’t worry, it’ll still be there tomorrow. It’s a day where someone else gets to deal with the whiny kids (heck, they are probably only whiny for you anyway).
Use these days sparingly – you may not have a lot of time to take off at work, and of course it can be difficult to step back from your household responsibilities. I save these days for when I’m really truly about to snap. I can’t take anymore. I can’t handle one more dirty dish. I can’t hear the word “mama” one more time. That is how I know it’s time for me to take a day for myself.
Use the Day to your Advantage!
Be sure that you don’t waste the day away. Sure, it would be easy to just take the day off and binge watch the latest Netflix original. But you’ve really got to think about the purpose of the day and what exactly will recharge you.
What is it that grounds you? What makes you feel sane? What makes your heart sing?
A lunch date with a friend.
A walk in the park listening to your favorite songs.
A coffee and a good book at an actual adult coffee shop.
Exercise without trying to hurry to pick up kids.
Window shopping and trying on clothes without kids pulling on you.
These are all examples of how a mental health day can benefit you and your sanity.
I know there is a stigma that comes with mental health, so it may be difficult to explain to people why you need a day to recharge. People expect us to be able to do it all, but the truth is that we can’t always have it together. So just laugh it off and tell inquirers that it was either a break or you were going to run your car off a cliff. That’ll shut them up!
When was the last time you took a day just for yourself to recharge?
For more healthy inspiration:
5 Reasons Why You Should Throw Away Your Scale
jas says
Thanks a lot for sharing such a great idea. i really liked your post.
Fitness Health Gym says
Your blog really made my day! i think i really need a break.. thank you for sharing this wonderful idea..
Beata Lewis MD says
Great Idea. I am Psychiatrist expert in Brooklyn, will suggest this to all physicians. Thank you very much for sharing!
Aubrey Cota says
Thank you!
zara says
Thanks a lot for sharing such a great idea.
Susan Stukes says
Nice..I really like your post..You are right that mental health is also so important for us.We all have to make our mind stress free & healthy.We have to be keep distance from all stress and tensions
Mary Jane says
These tips are really awesome and I think we all should take mental health day and use it properly. Thanks a lot for sharing such a great idea.