As inspired by Jenny, today I have declared a “Reclaiming My Mental Health Day”. I think we all require differing amounts of them regularly worked into our schedules to keep everything in balance. Some of you have an incredibly high tolerance for stress, project deadlines, unrest, and busyness. But not I. I am a rather delicate soul – it doesn’t take much for my whole being to be thrown completely off kilter. I’ve often been embarrassed and apologetic about it. I can feel so capacitorially inferior when I see the magnitude of the load that others are able to handle. I’ve fought it. Pushed myself beyond my natural limits. But my tolerance level never really seems to grow as a result. And then the tension headaches arrive…along with the rock-hard shoulders…and my gray hair starts accumulating far faster than it should.
So finally, I have made peace with my capacity, and I know that when my dial hits the “danger zone”, it’s time for me to force myself to take a restorative mental health day to slow down, un-plug, and take a conscious step away from those things that are causing me mental (and sometimes consequent physical) unrest. Often they occur on the weekend, but sometimes I have the luxury of planning one mid-week. And today is just such a day. If you’d like to know more about what a Reclaiming My Mental Health Day (#RMMHD) looks like in my world, follow me on Instagram: @KThroughTheDay
After a day (or even just a few hours) of peace, calm, and rejuvenation, I often feel charged up and ready to tackle the next mountain in front of me! Bring it on! Amazing what a little self-care can do, isn’t it?!
Do you take mental health days?
I hope you enjoy your mental health day and feel ready to roll in no time!
I can definitely appreciate where you’re coming from, and have gotten better about realizing when I’m close to my “breaking point” in everyday situations. Whether it’s work, family, relationships or a combination of all of the above, there are times I just need to take a step back and definitely unplug. Sometimes that requires a day off work, but often it just means I need to take myself out to lunch or for coffee, read a book for an hour or two and just unwind. Doesn’t happen as often as I would like, but I’m working on it!
I agree with you completely. Sometimes just a nice long lunch can be all we need to “reboot”! And isn’t it so key – just recognizing that we’re close to the breaking point, before we actually break? Wish I would’ve learned to identify that much earlier in life. Would’ve saved me a lot of breakdowns!
I’ve been seeing your pictures on instagram and it looks like you are having a lovely, relaxing day, good for you. Now and then I’ll dedicate a weekend day to reclaiming my mental health which generally just involves a day by myself doing things I enjoy and just being kind to myself. It’s so good just to slow down sometimes.
Thanks Rebecca…yes, it was a lovely day. Just slowing down, breathing deep, and allowing my brain to reset itself. So thankful for it!
Thank you for writing this. I am like you (maybe it’s an ISFJ trait?) and I have a very low tolerance for stress. I clam up. I can’t think straight and sometimes, I just need hide away and cry. I’ve spent so many years thinking that I don’t measure up when I compare myself to others who work 10+ hours a day in stressful jobs and still have their heads on straight. I wonder why I don’t have the stamina to do that. I wonder if I’m incompetent. But your post made me see that we aren’t all wired to be like that. Some of us need calm and relaxing environments to be productive. I’m one of them and I need to stop forcing myself into thinking that I can be the Superwoman who juggles it all and doesn’t bat an eye.
Sorry for the book, but this post just came at the right moment for me today. So again, thank you for your honesty in the post and a new perspective.
Hmmm…that’s an interesting point…maybe it IS an ISFJ trait? I can so relate to those feelings of inferiority and comparison. Not fun! I’m so glad the post was an encouragement to you, and hope you’ll give yourself some grace to rest and regroup whenever you feel the need! You’re right, we are all wired differently, and are created to walk different life roads. All we can do, is to live OUR best life, right?! So glad you took the time to share your heart!
Being in the architecture major, I am one of those people constantly immersed in stress-related high-pressure time-sensitive situations… yes they suck; but I find that the best thing for you is to find your escape. Mine is currently mountain biking. I get on my bike, and forget all about studio and deadlines and all the other stuff that creates stress in my life. It’s just you and your wheels — and you have to concentrate to avoid all the trees hurtling towards your face
Ah yes! That sounds perfect! Doesn’t matter what it is that clears your mind and feeds your soul – the key is just to FIND it, and then DO it!