Everyone needs to take a mental health day once in a while, but we often try to “push through” our rundown feelings instead. This can especially apply to us when we are feeling overwhelmed with things we need to do, because we can feel like we don’t have time to take a mental health day. We can feel anxiety creeping at the thought of putting down all of our priorities just to….rest?
BUT, I am here to tell you that taking a mental health day can actually be extremely productive. Yes, that’s right. Sitting on your butt and being selfish for a little can be a really good thing. Keep reading below for signs of when you should take a mental health day and the benefits of taking one.
When To Take A Mental Health Day
It is time to take a mental health day when you have reached or exceeded your limit on what you mentally can take. Below are some key signs that you should take a mental health day:
- You are irritable. Like, someone drank the last of the milk, and you are seriously peeved over it. You find yourself getting super annoyed over the little things.
- You are having trouble focusing. For some reason, your brain just doesn’t seem to be working properly. Listen to it!
- You are having increased feelings of anxiety or depression that seem to be spiraling. It is important to catch these early, because once you start emotionally spiraling, it can become harder and harder to recover. Take some time to figure out why your feelings have worsened, and seek professional help if you can.
- You are physically exhausted without obvious reason. Sure, if you do a tough workout, you are going to be extra sore and tired for a couple of days. But, I am talking about if you are physically exhausted because your mind is just THAT tired. Like, the thought of getting out of bed in the morning seems impossible kind-of-tired.
The Benefits
If you are someone who feels like you don’t have time for self-care or relaxation, you need to read this! It has actually been shown that taking a mental health day is linked to improving your productivity. When we become worn out and feel like just a shell of ourselves, we are not our whole selves. This means that we will not be able to put the same thought and skill into our work as we normally would. Taking a day to reset your wellness will allow you to wake up the next day feeling stronger and more at ease.
In addition to the logistical benefit of increased productivity, taking a mental health day allows us to de-stress. When you look at the negative effects that stress can have on your body, it is alarming in comparison to how normalized it has become. Mental health days can be just as important for your physical health. Remember this next time you fall into the trap of feeling guilty for taking one!