Tips for Taking a Mental Health Break
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure https://sagecounselingtherapyandwellness.com/disclosure-privacy-policy-terms-of-use/ for further information.
Life is not always easy. With work, relationships, and school, there can be a lot of stress accumulating in just one person. This stress can be very unpleasant and can lead to you becoming very overwhelmed in the near future.
Many people manage their busy schedules and lower their stress by taking a self-care day or a “mental health break”. These tips on how to take a mental health break can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed or stressed over everyday activities such as making a meal for yourself or going on a walk.
These breaks can last anywhere from one day to a whole week—whatever you feel is necessary. You can even take a sabbatical, which is a rest or break from work. This will allow you to get back on track with all the things in your life that you need to balance out.
It is completely normal to need time to yourself or a day to relax. Our bodies are not meant to be active 24/7. In fact, stress can make bring us outside our threshold in which we can cope and function effectively, also known as our “window of tolerance”.
These breaks can help you stay inside this threshold and thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically. Keep reading to find out ways you can take a mental health break!
Tips for Mental Health Break Activities:
1. Take a warm shower or bath
This feels just as relaxing as it sounds! Taking a warm shower or bath will calm down your whole body and clear your mind. This also helps with pain and aches in your body, which can make you even more relaxed. While you are bathing you can also turn on some things to listen to such as music, podcasts, and audiobooks, or watch your favorite TV show you’ve been meaning to catch up on.
2. Meditate
Some people are not used to meditating, but it can be beneficial for the body and mind. If you are not familiar with meditating, you can do deep breathing exercises to calm your body by slowing down your heart rate and relaxing. These can last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. There are also certain apps such as Calm and Insight Timer, that can help you learn to meditate. You can also look up helpful meditation videos on Youtube. Use trial and error and figure out what works best for you.
3. Go outside for a walk
With summer quickly approaching, the weather is getting nice, and more activities are opening up. Why not go outside and take a nice walk? Nature can generate positive emotions such as calmness and joy.
This will allow you to relieve yourself from any stress that has been building throughout the day, and you can work out at the same time. Win-Win! You can enjoy some music during your walk and be able to focus much better afterward.
Having a clean space can do so much for your mental health. However, not everyone can keep up with their area when it comes to work and other important tasks. Having a messy space can cause a lot of stress, whether it is caused by misplacing important items, or feeling overwhelmed by clutter.
Clutter can distract us by drawing attention away from what our focus should be on. Take a moment to pick up your things and claim your space again!
5. Read a book
Sometimes life is just too hectic to be able to take the time to read a book. Although it can be time-consuming, reading can help bring your mind away from worries and escape into an entertaining story.
You can read different books and find out what you like most, which may lead to a new hobby in the future. You can also make it a challenge to step out of your comfort zone and switch up the genres you are used to, by checking out new books at the library.
You can even read books on self-exploration/self-care to help you with your self-care journey. There are also many options for audiobooks—why not throw on a face mask and clean up your space while listening?
Utilizing these tips will tremendously help ease your mind during your mental health break. You can do these activities alone, or even with friends! Everyone needs moments to themselves some time or another, so why not have some fun while doing so? We challenge you to schedule a mental health day this month! You got this.
To discuss how therapy could help you during this season of your life, please contact me or schedule your free 15 minute consultation.
Resources Used:
Lifestyle, R. T. E. (2020, August 19). 10 ideas for a self-care day at home. RTE.ie. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2020/0616/1147756-10-ideas-for-a-self-care-day-at-home/
Want to read more? Here are a few of my related blog posts you may be interested in checking out!
Check out some of the items mentioned in the blog post above, along with a few extra goodies we think you’ll love!
0 Comments