5 Signs You Should Take a Mental Health Day
Do you ever just feel extremely overwhelmed? With work, running errands, possibly taking care of kids, pets, all while trying to take care of yourself, is a lot (and generally in this situation, the taking care of yourself comes last-or not at all). Or, maybe you just feel underwhelmed. Even if you have a lot to do, you may not be motivated to do it and you’re just bored of the same routine. In both cases, it might be a sign that you need to take a ‘you’ day, or more commonly known as, a “mental health day.”
Now, I don’t believe that taking care of your mental health can (or should) be taken care of in one day. I also don’t think it’s wise to wait until you are at your breaking point to make your mental, physical or emotional health into a priority. However, sometimes you are so busy with everything else, you don’t recognize the signs and by then, you’re tired, possibly experiencing burnout and in desperate need of a break.
So, what are the signs that you should take a mental health day? How can you recognize them before it’s too late and what you can do when these symptoms occur?
You have difficulty focusing. If you have are usually able to sit down and work for hours at a time, but find yourself easily distracted or experiencing brain fog, then this could be a tell-tale sign you need a break.
Your emotions are interfering. Everyone is going to have emotions of some sort at all time-it’s a fact of life and pretty much unavoidable. It’s when you let your emotions get in the way of work or being productive, is that it may become an issue. For me, when I become unusually emotional or find myself crying for no reason, I know that I need time off.
You have been overextending yourself. If you have been working or doing schoolwork nonstop, while simultaneously balancing other responsibilities, chances of you feeling fatigued and overwhelmed are high. In situations like these, you may also put your own wellbeing and self-care last, to make time for more seemingly “important” activities.
You’re experiencing physical symptoms. Sometimes our emotions get so out of whack that they manifest themselves into uncomfortable (and unwanted) physical symptoms, such as stomach aches, nausea, headaches and so on. I know that when I get super anxious and don’t take time to manage it, I experience chest pain and extreme nausea. In fact, I’ve been to the doctors on numerous occasions, only to hear the same thing – “my stress levels are too high.”
You’re in a funk. Being in a “funk” or feeling stuck is a normal feeling and one most people will probably feel at least once in their lifetime. It’s when this feeling doesn’t go away and begins to impact your everyday life, is when it could become a problem.
A couple of important things to remember. First, these signs will be different for everyone. Some people may experience only a few of them, some may not experience any. Everyone has different warning signs or signs they need a break, so pay attention to what your body is telling you. Which leads to the next point-don’t ignore it. It may seem easier to ignore these signs or we may feel we are “just too busy” to address them. The problem with ignoring these signs and symptoms is that they don’t go away, but instead just build up until it’s unavoidable and may even turn into something more serious. If it does become more serious (or even before), this is the time to talk to a professional, like a licensed psychologist, about next steps and further treatment.
Recognizing the signs that you need a break is important to do, preferably before you actually need one. However, if you DO need a break or a “mental health day,” don’t be ashamed to take it. Go get a massage, catch up with a friend, or just spend all day in bed, watching TV. Turn off your email notifications, avoid social media, and take this time to focus on the one thing you may have been neglecting-you!
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Staff Blogger: Mollie Clupper
Mollie Clupper works for MHA as a Communications and Support Specialist. Using her own experiences, she wants to help bring awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, drinking coffee, and spending time with her fur-niece.