Last Wednesday, I woke up with a headache. While I laid in bed contemplating the tasks ahead of me, I scrolled through some articles on my phone and discovered as well as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 10 was World Mental Health Day.
Along with my headache, I took this as a sign. I took the day off from my responsibilities, which meant missing a meeting for a voluntary position.
Even if it had been a paying duty, an occasional mental health day is an acceptable form of self-care free from guilt or having to lie about being physically ill.
While your employer may not have an official mental health day policy, most accept the terms personal or sick day.
After taking some Tylenol and doing some long overdue chores at home, my headache went away. I spent the afternoon kayaking and hiking with one of my canine best friends at my favorite lake.
Exercise is a crucial part of my selfcare practices.
There are many psychological benefits of exercise:
- Improves Mood
- Reduces Stress
- Helps Alleviate Anxiety
- Helps Relieve Symptoms of Depression
- Boosts Creativity
- Improves Sleep
For more detailed information on the mental health benefits of exercise, click here.
And remember, if you are just starting out, consult your doctor about what types of exercise and intensity will be good for you.
So, the next time you are feeling down, go for a walk. Do some yoga. Go for a bike ride. Or perhaps go for a swim (weather permitting). Whatever physical activity you choose, do something you enjoy to elevate your mood and classify it as filling the well.
Filling the Well
For my creative friends, a mental health day fills the requirement of what Julia Cameron calls “filling the well” in her book, The Artists Way. As Julia explains it, our inner well is like a stocked trout pond. “Overtapping the well, like overfishing the pond, leaves us with diminished resources.”
Julia says artists must learn to be self-nourishing. “In filling the well, think magic. Think delight. Think fun.” A mental health day should be spent doing something you enjoy, something that interests you.
- Take a drive
- Needlepoint
- Sew
- Cook or bake
- Crochet
- Paint
- Read a book
- Dance
- Listen to music
- Play music
“Art is the imagination at play in the field of time. Let yourself play” ─ Julia Cameron
Benefits of a Mental Health Day
- It carves out much need “me time.”
- Provides distance (sometimes literally) from a stressful situation, person or event.
- Alleviates general feelings of hopelessness, resentment and unhappiness.
- Gives time for self-reflection and grounding.
- Allows time to do something pleasurable.
- Provides an opportunity for self-care.
- Improves energy, motivation and mood.
- Increases one’s ability to manage stress.
- It may actually increase productivity.
World Mental Health Day
Not to be confused with a mental health day, which can potentially occur any day of the year, World Mental Health Day is October 10th each year. It is a global campaign to raise discussions and awareness about mental health, empower those who suffer, lessen the stigma and celebrate those who have successfully overcome challenges.
According to The World Health Organization, “The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions.” Raising awareness will help discourage discrimination and encourage better mental health care for all.
Mental health problems are common. In the United States alone, one in twenty people have mental illness. Mental health is dependent on many factors and can change. (Source: nationaltoday.com)
Raising awareness and practicing selfcare are just two ways you can make a positive difference in the world and for yourself.
Selfcare is a critical component to sound mental health. (Source: health.usnews.com)
So remember, the next time you take a mental health day, don’t feel guilty for indulging in a little “me time.” It’s good for your overall personal wellness. And a better you will ultimately lead to a better world.
