How Will You Celebrate Your Mental Health on Mental Health Day?

Even as we almost come out of the 2020 Global Covid-19 Crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises that Mental Illness is a preexisting pandemic crisis that has a much larger impact on the lives of millions of silently suffering individuals around the world. 

Undiagnosed and unmanaged mental health illnesses account for a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations, especially marginalised groups.

Perhaps due to the global economic crisis, a bright light has exposed the world to the fragile state of the modern world towards maintaining good mental health as a distinct human right.

So this year, I want to share with you my personal insights and commitment towards appreciating the concept of mental health days, just the same way we look at weekends – something to look forward to relax, reconnect and recharge ourselves as we move forward in life.

I am an advocate for mental health days. As someone who personally struggles with anxiety, mental health days are my best friend.

Everyone needs a break every once in a while.

I remember when I worked my retail job, I would feel guilty for calling out when I needed a break. But over time, that guilt went away because I realized I was doing something for myself.

Life can be hard and taking a step back to enjoy yourself is okay.

So if you’re anything like me, then you might be overdue for a day off.

The Top Reasons to Prioritize a Personal Mental Health Day 

Give your mind and body a break.

You’re giving your body the proper care it needs to recharge from stress and burn-out.

Everyone needs a break every once in a while, and if you don’t give yourself the proper rest, then you’re going to experience burn-out.

Burn-out is when you become mentally exhausted and lack energy, a common occurrence with remote work from home jobs.

Burn-out is not fun.

I’ve experienced this a couple of times in my previous jobs and it can be hard to jump back into working if it goes untreated.

That’s why if you think you’re currently experiencing this, you need to give yourself a break.

Knowing When to Take a Well-Deserved Break

Well, most of the time, you don’t know when you’re going to need a break.

Sometimes, it can just jump right at you, and other times, you can feel it coming.

When it jumps at you, then that’s usually a sign to call into work and give yourself time to recharge. If you’re able to tell in advance when the burn-out is about to happen, then it’d be best to take some time off for a vacation.

A vacation doesn’t necessarily mean staying at a hotel, and hanging out at the pool can also mean staying at home and having some quality ‘me time.’

Everyone is different when it comes to rest, which means that everyone recharges differently.

How You Should Rest and Recharge on World Mental Health Day? (Or any day actually)

Like I said above, everyone is different. It depends on how you function.

Meaning, maybe you’d like to go for a spa day, a long walk, go to the movies, go travel, even sit at home and relax.

It’s all about you and knowing what works best for you.

You want to make sure that whatever it is that you do is going to help you re-energize.

You want to come back refreshed, mentally and physically.

Benefits of Taking a Mental Health Day

There are a lot of personal benefits of taking a mental health day. These are the things I’ve noticed when I actively sought to improve my own wellbeing and be accountable to what my mind and heart needs:

• Your mood will change for the better.
• You will feel more energized.
• You will come out with a new perspective and maybe have a new set of goals.
• You’ll have a better understanding of yourself.

Overall, taking time for yourself has so many benefits and, realizing the importance of your mental health will help you re-align with yourself.