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Last Updated on June 10, 2019 by Diane Hoffmaster
Wondering why you need to take a mental health day? Is it really THAT important for your emotional peace of mind? Yes, it really is. Improving mental health requires you to take time off from the daily grind and focus on YOU for a while!
Taking Care of Others is Overwhelming
As a mom, I spend an awful lot of time taking care of others. Some days, I get tired of taking care of everyone else. There are days I resent the dog merely for needing me to open the door so she can go potty! It's at that point I start to ask myself "When is that last time you did something for YOU"? If the answer is "I have no idea", then I know it is time to start pampering ME!
Products for Improved Mental Health
- Frequency and Sound Therapy Machine: Helps Improve Sleep, Reduces Stress, Aids Mental Clarity and Focus
- Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book: the perfect way to unwind and relax for those with a subversive and irreverent sense of humor.
- Stress Balls with Motivational Quotes: enabling people to stay positive even in the most stressful situations
Everyone has their own ideas of what constitutes a mini vacation. Some people love to shop and decide to hit the mall. Others are big on the mani/pedi experience and head to the spa. ME? I just want a book, a comfy chair and a cup or 2 of tea. If you have been feeling blah, stressed out, irritable and are starting to annoy others with your crankiness, maybe it is time YOU took a mental health day!
Mental Health Days Decreases Stress
Whether your stress comes from an outside of the house job or chasing toddlers all day, it can take a toll on your physical and emotional well being. When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, right? High blood pressure, stomach upset, and ulcers can all be cause by stress. The need to duct tape your kid to the wall for incessant whistling can also be caused by stress. Duct taping children to walls is generally frowned upon as a parenting skill, unfortunately.
More Mental Health Tips
- Tips for a Smooth Online Mental Health Therapy Session
- Get Rid of Stress with These Anxiety Busting Tips
- Save Your Sanity with these Easy Tips for Busy Mom
Increase Productivity with Better Mental Health
People who are stressed out all the time are not working to their greatest potential. If you have 15 issues on your mind you will not be focused on the job at hand. Take a day to clear your head and then deal with one issue at a time. Increased productivity makes for a happier work environment and who knows, maybe your increased productivity and positive mental outlook will land you a raise! You can take the extra money and spend it on more books for your next mental health day!
Why mental health is important in the workplace? Making people mentally resilient to stress can improve thinking, decision-making, workflow, and relationships at work. All of these translate to increased productivity. So, taking a mental health day on Wednesday may make Thursday a more productive day.
Improve Your Sex Life with Less Stress
Honestly, if you have spent the entire day doing laundry and paying bills or sitting in a meeting and dealing with co-workers who can't do their jobs properly are you really going to be in the mood when your significant other starts acting snuggly? No. You are probably going to nag at him for not taking the garbage out.
Spend some time pampering your inner sex kitten with a bubble bath, romantic book and a shopping trip to Victoria's Secrets. Then, when you have sufficiently rocked his world you will still have enough energy to take the garbage out yourself. Ask your significant other for a sensual massage and release stress while connecting with your spouse.
Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Kids
I feel like I spend hours of each day nagging and yelling at my kids. They always seem to be doing something I DON'T want them to do or not doing something they SHOULD be doing. By taking a day to improve my mental health, I gain patience that I have lost and then they can stop thinking mommy is going to snap any minute now. Yes, they are still annoying but I have a higher tolerance when my mental health is stable!
Improve your immunity with Reduced Stress
Stress can really wreak havoc on the immune system. By taking time off occasionally to recharge your mental batteries you will also be giving your immune system a boost as well. Maybe next time your kid's bring home that nasty stomach virus you will not end up praising the porcelain god right along with them!
Depression and anxiety are very real illnesses that no one should have to live with. So, every once in a while, take a day to pamper yourself...even if it means calling in sick to work or begging grandma to take the kids for an afternoon. Your mental health is worth it!
When is the last time YOU took a mental health day?
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Maggie @ Snag A Bargain
I find it very important to have a mental day. Between work, life, family, and everything else, I feel it is important to every so often take a day for myself.
Mel S
I like that you added that taking a mental health day actually increases productivity. Some of us don't take time for ourselves because we "don't have time." Good post!
Ellen Christian
I could use a mental health day but I never seem to take one. Maybe soon.
Tori
Mental Health days can go a long way in making mommy a happier more productive mommy!!
Grace
I think you have made some very valid points and we all should schedule these for ourselves.
Robyn
wonderful post, I could use a mental health day right about now. I tend to get so busy that I overlook things like this. I need to bookmark your post to help remind me 🙂
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom
I took my first 'mental health day' in middle school... and I credit my mom for knowing that sometimes you don't have to be physically sick to just need a break! I'm conscious of needing me time as a mom... I don't always get a whole day but I do try to get a night out or lunch with a friend to decompress... sometimes it's just a quick 20 minute trip to the grocery store by myself!
Pam
I know I definitely need a mental health day!
Minta
I too nee a mental health day!
Stopping by from Pitch it to me.
Minta
Juliette
Took my yearly mental health day with Heather and Jenni on Monday! Mani pedis, lunch, thrift shopping and dessert... Ahhhh! Someday you have to join us!!!
Diane
Fingers crossed I get up there again soon! Im jealous!