If you’ve clicked on this link, chances are something resonated with you, and you might have been thinking about taking a day off. A mental health day is a break from your usual routine to rest, recharge, and reset. No work, no to-do lists, no extra responsibilities—just time for you.
According to Zippia, the average American gets about 10–14 days of paid time off (PTO), but 55% don’t use all of it. That’s a shocking statistic, considering you are getting paid to take care of yourself.
The workplace can be demanding, and the deadlines, endless emails, and long hours can follow you home. If you work from home, it can feel impossible to fully disconnect. Without true breaks, mental and physical burnout can creep in fast. If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to take a mental health day.
It’s More Than Just a Break
If you’ve been on TikTok (or any social media lately), you’ve probably seen the “mental health walk” trend where people take time to step away and clear their minds. Think of a mental health day as that, but on a larger scale.
A mental health day is a day when you fully unplug from your usual responsibilities and give yourself time to slow down. That includes putting your phone down and avoiding mindless scrolling that leaves you feeling drained. With the uncertainty in the world, the stress of work, and the demands from the family, prioritizing time for yourself is essential.
There’s no correct time frame for a mental health day. Although the name indicates a “day,” it could also be a whole vacation, a quiet day at home, or even just a long walk around the block. Without taking a break, you’ll experience burnout, so give your body and mind the break it is asking for.
Signs You Might Need a Mental Health Day
You’ll know when to take a mental health day. Your mind will give you all the signs that it’s time to slow down, and your body might also experience the symptoms. Here are a few signs of burnout:
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed
- Headaches, body aches, or getting sick more often
- Lack of motivation and constantly feeling tired
- Less productivity at work or home
- Constantly feeling tired or experiencing irregular sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
If you’re mentally checking off a few of these, it’s time to ask for PTO and take a mental health day.
What to Do on Your Mental Health Day
What you do on your day off can make a real difference in how refreshed you feel afterward. Leaving your day unplanned can leave you stuck in your regular habits, so instead, try planning ahead by creating a simple to-do list. Here are a few ideas to make the most out of your day:
- Put your phone on silent and out of reach. Research shows that stepping away from your phone, even for a day, can improve your mental health by up to 64%.
- Take a workout class—bonus points if it’s with a friend. Moving your body and having a good laugh with a friend releases endorphins, helps clear your mind, and boosts your mood.
- Spoil yourself by taking a relaxing bath, doing your hair, and giving yourself a facial or mini makeover. A little attention to your appearance can lift your mood and self-confidence more than you expect.
- Change the scenery. If you are able to, head somewhere new. Maybe it’s that out-of-the-country trip you’ve always dreamed about or simply taking a mini road trip to your favorite camping spot. Traveling can give you a new motivation and stimulate the mind with new perspectives.
You don’t have to earn your rest or be completely burnt out to take a break. It’s always best to take care of your mental health before reaching a breaking point. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for yourself is slow down. So, if your mind’s been racing, your body feels tired, or you’ve just had enough, consider it a sign that you need a mental health day. You deserve it.
Contact Evansville Ketamine Treatment Center
Evansville Ketamine & Vitamin Center wants to see your life in bloom. Learn how our services can help you become open, energetic, and at peace. Give us a call or fill out the form below to book your appointment.
Recent Comments