Life can be challenging. It can be exhausting, and sometimes you wake up feeling like sitting on your couch and having no responsibilities besides what to watch for the day. Sometimes, you just need a mental health day. Can you relate?
Even when you’re younger, I’m sure you either pretended to be sick or “missed” the bus so you could just have a day to have a timeout for yourself. Those days were some of the best, laying around watching TV, reading, eating snacks, and not having responsibilities.
As you get older, it becomes harder and harder to have those days where you can just take a mental timeout. Adulting starts to happen, and that brings a lot of responsibilities and less time for yourself.
As a Therapist for young adults in Atlanta, I understand that work, family, and social media can all be overwhelming and lead to mental burnout. Having a day to reset and recharge is usually what you need, but there is a stigma around having a “mental health day.”
Having a mental health day is a day where you are not putting yourself in stressful situations. It is where you are taking a day to relax and rest, mentally, physically, and emotionally without feeling shame.
Here’s how to take a mental health day
Everyone has their own definition of relaxation and self-care, so it’s essential to find out on your own what is best for you and what will make you feel recharged. Here are a few suggestions:
- Stay home and catch up on your favorite shows or watch movies
- Go to a spa or create a spa day at home
- Grab a book and find a cozy spot to spend the day reading
- Sleep in and turn off your alarms
- Check off some of the things on your to-do list
Whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed will be what you do on this day.
It is normal to feel like we don’t deserve this day to ourselves. But you actually do deserve to feel relaxed and rested. You deserve to feel like you don’t have to be busy all the time. Unfortunately, exhaustion can take a toll on our bodies and minds if we are not taking time out for ourselves.
Please note, if you have taken a couple of days off and still feel in a slump, it could be more than just needing a mental health day. It can be helpful to seek additional support from a mental health professional.
Contact Rise Counseling Atlanta if you are interested in working with a Therapist for young adults.
