You reset your phone when it’s not working. You reset your modem when the internet goes down. What about you though? Do you ever reset yourself?

When you’re overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed, you need to reset your mind and body. You can do this with a mental health day – a day entirely dedicated to you. This guide will teach you how to plan a mental health day so you can feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Signs You Need a Mental Health Day

The fact that you’re reading this shows that you probably need a mental health day. However, here are some general signs to watch out for:

• You feel tired all the time, even after getting plenty of sleep.
• You are making preventable errors because you’re not thinking clearly.
• You have become more forgetful than usual.
• You feel overwhelmed by small tasks or changes to your schedule.
• Your schedule is so packed that you have no time for yourself.
• You can’t remember the last day that you weren’t constantly ‘going.’
• Other people have told you that you need a break.
• You feel like you’re pushing yourself too hard.

Be honest with yourself. There is nothing wrong with needing a mental health break. If you’ve been going and going and going, it’s time to stop. Regroup. Re-energize. Do what it takes to get back to the best version of yourself.

How to Effectively Reset Your Mind/Body

Now that we’ve identified the signs you need a mental health day, it’s time to reset. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Allow at least one full day for the reset. This could be one of your scheduled days off, or you could request a mental health day from your work. Many employers now have personal days allotted for their employees. Taking one will not affect your employment status.
• Make no plans for the mental health day. You want this to be completely clear of obligations – not even a quick trip to the grocery store. This is a day entirely devoted to you.
• Stay off your phone and computer. Let your work and your loved ones know that you will be unavailable for the day. If you need to turn your phone off completely, do so. If you need it on for emergencies, only respond to it in those emergency situations.
• Sleep as much as you want for as long as you want. If you want to spend the whole day just sleeping, go for it. You deserve it.
• Be unapologetically selfish. This is a hard concept to grasp, but it’s important. This is not a day to take care of anyone else. It’s purely about you. Send your children to their grandparent’s house for the day/evening. Ask your spouse to take care of the housework and meals. Tell anyone you do favors for that you are simply unavailable for this day. You do so much for everyone else. It’s time to do something for yourself.
• Don’t think about tomorrow. It will happen regardless of your stress for the today. If you waist time worrying about all the work you have to do tomorrow, you’re not making good use of your reset. Put it out of your mind, and trust that things will happen when they happen.
• Remember, you deserve this. Don’t feel bad for taking a day to yourself. You can take two or three days if that’s what you need. This will ultimately make you more capable in your work and personal life, so everyone benefits from it. Enjoy your mental health day and the refreshment that comes from a reset.

For more personalized advice on how to improve your mental health, contact Heron Ridge Associates.