5 Ways to Make the Most of a Mental Health Day!
We believe in striving to bloom into the best version of yourself each day. Blooming into the best version of yourself includes taking the time to care for your physical and mental health! The month of May is special because it is Mental Health Awareness Month. We know how busy our #bloomgirls are, and because of this, we understand that sometimes it is seemingly impossible to find time for your physical and mental health.
You deserve a day of prioritizing your own mental health and well-being, and we want to help you do this, guilt free! We want to help you identify the best things you can do for yourself when you take your mental health day so you come back to your job or day to day routine feeling refreshed, stress-free and have noticeable increases in your productivity and creativity levels. After researching, we have compiled our own list.
Here are 5 Ways to Make the Most of a Mental Health Day!
- Get A Good Night’s Rest
Sleep is one of the best things you can do to make sure you are giving your body and mind the time that it needs to reset. Sleep can reduce stress, reduce inflammation, it makes you more alert, improves your memory, can help you lose weight, can reduce your risk of depression, and can help prevent cancer! Most people need at least 8 hours of sleep each night, some people may need more! Make sure you head to bed at a reasonable hour the night before your mental health day and give yourself at least 8 hours of rest. Try to avoid hitting the snooze button and wake up the first time your alarm goes off in the morning! It’s hard, we know, but it will make you feel more refreshed throughout the day.
- Identify Your Needs
A mental health day does not always mean staying in bed and watching Netflix. Sometimes a mental health day is needed to have some fun, regroup and reprioritize, or feel a sense of productivity. Regardless of what you need, this is your day to take ownership of so that you can be your best. If you do need to relax, relax. If you need to laugh, watch a comedy. If you need to make a change, make a change. A big part of becoming aware of your mental health is identifying your own needs, so do not feel selfish for doing so!
- Step Away From Technology
Taking time to unplug from technology will be incredibly refreshing for your mind, even if only for a few hours. Do more things that make you forget your phone! Schedule some time outdoors or try a new craft! If this is a hard one for you, try to take 1-2-hour breaks at a time and pre-schedule your phone or technology time so that you can give your mind the break it needs but know when you can get reconnected.
- Set Goals For Your Day and Check Them Off
Personal goals are equally as important as professional goals and can help you feel a sense of achievement even when you are feeling any form of mental distress. Start your day off with easy goals, like making your bed and brushing your teeth. Boom! Within the first 5 minutes of opening your eyes, you’ve already crossed 2 things off your list! Feeling accomplished? Roll that feeling into other to-do’s throughout the day. Yard work, workout, cleaning, meal prep…you’ll feel great getting these items checked off! Check out our various Planning Pads here so you can finish these tasks and check them off. You will feel so accomplished after doing this (which will totally boost your general mood and thus, your mental health!)
- Do Some Cleaning
While we know that cleaning may not be everyone’s idea of fun, it is a great way to feel productive and literally create a fresh start. Cleaning is also a relatively mindless activity so you can give your brain a break that it needs. If you aren’t feeling like cleaning a physical space, clean out your computer or phone. Also, play some of your favorite jams while you do it to relieve even more stress (don’t forget to hit those high notes, girl!) Check out some of our playlists on Spotify.
Let this month serve as a reminder for all of us that is okay to recharge in whatever way we need so we can maintain a healthy mind. You are not lazy for taking a mental health day. You should not feel guilty: everyone needs to reset and refresh in order to be their best and do their best, even at work! Just make sure you notify your co-workers or manager prior to your day off so you do not feel unnecessary guilt. The only one who can prescribe you a mental health day is yourself, so take time during this Mental Health Awareness Month to make it happen!
Need some self-care inspiration? Check out this horoscope to see what you can do for self-care according to your sign!
xoxo,
the bloom team
Leave a comment