As a full time college student I am constantly challenged and troubled with every day activities and responsibilities. When to eat and if it can fit into my class schedule, when to study, when to go to bed and if I have time to do anything besides that. I get busy balancing sleep, study, social and work but tend to do nothing about it - even when the stress hits.
So why aren't we doing anything about it?
As people, it's our human nature to say that stress is inevitable and we don't have to do anything about it. Sometimes taking a "mental health day" doesn't sound like the best option for people. When it came time to me taking a relax day I would often find myself saying I don't have time to relax. I would say that I have to study first and pull allnighters before I got to relax. Many people tend to be in this same mindset when we should be taking care of our brains just like any other organ in our body.
When it comes to school, work or even every day life, taking a mental health day is essential and important to keep your brain healthy. This is a day to just catch your breath and unwind from the stress and business of life in general. When I take a mental health day, I focus on just me. Taking these days are just as important as taking care of your body. The last thing you want is to be so overwhelmed that every day tasks become harder to get through and you feel mentally drained.
So how can you take a mental health day?
Make rest a must. Lack of sleep can be a big contributor to how you feel mentally. If you need just a day to catch up on sleep after pulling some all nighters or having busy days than that's okay! Get a good full night of rest and maybe some naps if you're feeling it.
Do something you love. If you love painting but never find the time to, go ahead and paint. Want to play your favorite song on piano? Jam on. If you even want to just watch some TV/movies, eat your favorite food in comfy PJs and call it a day that's fine too.
Make sure you're the priority. This day is about you and you only. There's no need to stress your mind out on a day that you're going to relax and unwind. Sometimes even putting your phone down for a couple of hours just to focus on you is the perfect solution to easing your mind.
People tend to brush off stress and pretend that nothing has to be done about it. They go on with their lives as if it is something that shouldn't be bothered. The importance of mental health days are easily overlooked and definitely shouldn't be.
Do what you love and take a mental health day every now and again. Your body and mind will thank you for it!