Mental Health Day? Here’s how to get the most out of it.
Photo by Nati
In the fast pace of life, taking a mental health day isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or just in need of rest, a well-planned mental health day can help restore your energy, clarity, and emotional resilience. Here’s how to use that day intentionally and effectively.
Give Yourself Permission to Pause
Mental health days aren’t a sign of weakness—they're a form of proactive self-care. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that chronic stress negatively impacts both physical and emotional health, and regular breaks can help prevent burnout and anxiety (APA, 2021).
Start your day by releasing guilt or pressure. Rest is productive.
Spend Time in Natural Light
Exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin levels and helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improving mood and energy (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). A short walk in nature or even sitting outside with your morning coffee can elevate your mood and ground your mind.
Do Something That Refuels You
This might mean journaling, praying, taking a yoga class, painting, or spending time with a close friend. Whatever you choose, let it be something that feeds your emotional or spiritual well-being.
Activities that support mental health—such as movement, mindfulness, or creative expression—have been linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
Talk It Out
If you’ve been carrying emotional burdens, your mental health day is a great time to process with a counselor or therapist. Counseling provides a space for clarity, healing, and practical strategies to manage stress, relationships, or trauma.
Therapy doesn't just help in crisis—it’s a tool for growth and resilience.
Don’t Try to “Fix” Everything
The goal of a mental health day isn’t to solve every problem or complete a to-do list. It's to pause, care for your inner world, and reset. If you feel more rested, less tense, or more hopeful by the end of the day, you’ve done exactly what you needed to do.
Because You Deserve It
Mental health days remind us: our well-being matters. Taking time to care for your mental and emotional health isn’t selfish—it’s sacred.
If you're ready to take deeper steps toward healing and clarity, we’re here to walk with you.
American Psychological Association (APA, 2021):
Chronic stress has been shown to impair memory, weaken the immune system, and increase the risk for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Source: APA. (2021). Stress effects on the bodyHarvard Health Publishing (2020):
Natural sunlight helps boost serotonin production, a neurotransmitter linked to improved mood and calmness, and it supports healthy sleep by regulating your circadian rhythm.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Let the sunshine in: The benefits of sunlightActivities National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2022):
Engaging in physical activity, mindfulness, creative expression, and social connection are all proven to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Caring for your mental healthNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
Therapy can be helpful for both acute mental health conditions and ongoing life challenges. It fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Source: NAMI. (n.d.). Psychotherapy