In today’s hustle culture, it seems like everyone is always productive, always working, and always ten steps ahead of where you are. It can get so easy to get caught up in this toxic cycle of continuous pressure and work. And in doing so, it can get easy to sacrifice your mental health.
To set aside a whole day for relaxing and treating yourself may seem indulgent, wasteful, even just plain ridiculous. Even I feel this way sometimes. But then, I remember a common saying: “You cannot pour from an empty bottle.” Or at least this is one variation of the saying. But its essential message is that you cannot put your full effort into your daily tasks if you have no energy or motivation left in your body. If your soul has been depleted, you cannot live your life.
This is why a mental health day is so important. Here are some things you can do on your day off to feel like a brand new person.
MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES
Make your favorite meal. This can be anything – a yogurt bowl, a plate of pasta, or even a simple smoothie. Whatever the meal may be, make sure it is something you truly enjoy and makes you feel content. While eating, don’t stare at the screen and mindlessly eat. Instead, sit outside or at the window and enjoy the view of the outside.
Move your body. This doesn’t even have to be a stressful workout. It can be as simple as going for a walk outside. This is my personal favorite, as it gets me outside and in nature. I get to see people go about their lives whenever I’m on my walk, and it makes me feel content that the world is still going on. If you don’t like walks, you can go to a spin class, do some yoga in your apartment, or just stretch. Anything that gets your blood flowing is good for your mind.
Set aside time to call friends and family. The healthy relationships in our lives make us feel human. Maintaining these relationships is key to improving our mental health and refreshing our minds. Whether it’s a 10-minute phone call with your mom or a 2-hour long FaceTime with your friends, catching up with loved ones is a great activity for a mental health day.
The bottom line is this: don’t feel selfish for prioritizing yourself. At the end of the day, you know yourself best, and you have to take care of yourself.