How to Take An Effective Mental Health Day

When it is time for rest..

We are all living in a world that is focused on productivity and success. In theory, those are nice values but they don’t always work in our favor. Our brains and our bodies REQUIRE rest and relaxation each day. It is not a reward or a gift to ourselves at the end of a long busy day. Being mindful of when our body or mind is asking for rest is a skill that many could use some help developing.  

Think of it this way: you can either ensure you give yourself appropriate amounts of rest or your body will chose it for you and probably not at a time that’s suitable for you. Stress can lead to sickness, over stimulation can lead to chronic brain fog, inappropriate work-life balance can lead to isolation, etc.

Becoming more intentional with your time to rest can really change the way you work and even how you value yourself! I know calling in sick (even when you are sick) is scary but it is time to unlearn the thought that you are only valuable if you are available. Even if you were to call in sick on a day you were perfectly healthy but knew you needed to take a step away from the desk is… wait for it… RESPONSIBLE. Your brain is an organ in your body and if it’s feeling fuzzy it’s our bodies way of telling us it needs something. Please listen to that and prioritize internal wellness that can then lead to shifts in mood and productivity naturally.

Simple ways to ensure you are prioritizing rest: schedule it into your daily routine, set reminders for short breaks throughout the work day, create a new small habit of taking a 15 min decompress break immediately when getting home for the day.

Prioritizing rest will unlock more energy interestingly enough. It will refuel the overly depleted tank over time that will actually free more time and space in your mind when it is go time!