A mental health day is a day you take off from work or school, and minimize any commitments or responsibilities. You can use this time to focus on relieving stress, relaxing, having fun, and preventing burnout.
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.
According to research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety and depressive disorders cost more than a trillion dollars globally in lost productivity each year.1
Whatever stressors you face, these tips can help you take a mental health day and make the most of it.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your daily roles and responsibilities. When you’re constantly expected to perform your duties as an employee, a parent, a spouse, a family member, or a friend, you can find yourself exhausted.
It’s important to take time for yourself to:
Clear your mind
Have fun and do things you enjoy
Improve your sleep quality2
Process your emotions
Promote relaxation
Reduce stress3
Knowing what you can expect to get out of a mental health day is important. It’s important to remember that it isn’t a day to hide from your problems.
An effective mental health day can help you:
Destress
Get a handle on your emotions
Relax
Reset your perspective
Rest
Take a step back to evaluate
Problems can be harder to deal with when they seem close, overwhelming, and inescapable. Taking a mental break from work and spending some time on self-care can sometimes give you the mini-break you need to head back into things with a clear head.
Taking a mental health day is easier said than done. Some people have concerns about what their employers or families will think. Will they be supportive or judgmental? With most things, communication is key. Talk about the importance of mental health in your roles and how some time away can make you more productive, present and healthier.
Mental health days are one way to manage your mental health. There are many other resources and tools available to work through feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. Talk to your health care team if you have concerns about your mental health.
