I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately. My partner has noticed, my kids have noticed, and frankly, my body has noticed too. After another round of snapping at my kids, my partner gently suggested that I take some time for myself. It took a week, but I finally decided to dedicate a day to my mental well-being, hoping it would help me reclaim my sense of self.
Unfortunately, my mental health day didn’t go as planned. I bet you can guess what happened because, as busy parents, we often fall into the same traps. I woke up earlier than usual, eager to tackle a long to-do list. I squeezed in a run, rushed through my shower, dropped off some important documents, and felt relieved to check that off my list. Then, I headed to the grocery store for a week’s worth of food for my family.
On my way back to the car, I became overwhelmed by how dirty my car was and decided to take it through a car wash. I couldn’t resist vacuuming out the remnants of my kids’ snacks and fast food wrappers. Once home, I hurried to stash the groceries before the ice cream melted, only to realize that I’d forgotten to grab the sushi I promised myself for lunch.
By the time I finally settled down, it was already past noon, and I felt anything but rejuvenated. I thought I could unwind by watching the Hallmark Channel, but then my phone buzzed with messages from my child’s teacher, my ex-husband called about our son’s graduation, and I remembered my daughter had an orthodontist appointment. Clearly, this was not the mental health day I envisioned. Instead of feeling relaxed, I ended up feeling more stressed and frazzled than before.
To do a mental health day right, I consulted with a therapist and life coach named Clara Jennings, who offered some valuable insight. First and foremost, it’s essential to identify what you truly need. Consider what would actually help you recharge. Whether it’s indulging in a good book or taking a day for spring cleaning, only you can define what self-care looks like for you. “If you don’t genuinely want to take a long bath or read a book, don’t feel pressured to do so,” Jennings advises. “Self-care is personal.”
Your time is precious, so make sure to spend it doing what you want, not what you think you should do. If you opt for a Netflix binge instead of something you perceive as too indulgent, you might end up feeling resentful and fatigued. If possible, plan ahead. Take some time a few days before your mental health day to reflect on what you need and create a plan. Be careful not to overschedule yourself, as this can lead to running around in circles and ultimately defeat the purpose of your day off.
If a full day isn’t feasible, try incorporating small acts of self-care into your weekly routine. For example, if you know that exercising helps alleviate stress, schedule regular workouts. If you need more sleep, plan for some naps. Personally, since my chaotic mental health day, I’ve been making a conscious effort to do little things for myself each day. Whether it’s painting my nails, picking up a new scent, or enjoying some TV time while having dinner, these small acts have made a difference in how I feel.
Remember: you deserve this time. Take the necessary steps to plan a meaningful mental health day.
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In summary, taking a mental health day can be transformative, but it requires thoughtful planning. Focus on what you truly need, avoid over-scheduling, and find small ways to incorporate self-care into your daily life. You are worth it!