Lately, I’ve found myself feeling increasingly irritable. My partner has noticed, my kids have picked up on it, and, quite frankly, my body is reacting too. After another instance of snapping at my children in front of my partner, he suggested I take a day just for myself. It took some time, but I finally made it happen. I envisioned this mental health day transforming my mood and bringing back my old self.
However, that isn’t quite how things turned out. You can probably guess how this went, especially if you’re a mom—because we tend to have a sixth sense about each other’s experiences. I woke up earlier than usual, eager to tackle the long list of tasks I had planned for my mental health day. After squeezing in a quick run and a hurried shower, I dropped off my tax documents. While I felt a sense of relief, I then headed to the grocery store for the week’s shopping for my family.
As I returned to my car, I noticed how filthy it was, so I decided to take it through a car wash and vacuum out the remnants of the sandbox and all the fast food wrappers. I dashed home to unpack the groceries before the ice cream melted, only to realize I had forgotten the sushi I promised myself for lunch. By the time I looked at the clock, it was past noon, and I was nowhere near feeling relaxed.
After a quick vacuuming session, I hoped to unwind by watching some Hallmark movies. Just as I settled down, my phone pinged with a message from my son’s teacher, my ex-husband called about our son’s graduation, and I remembered my daughter had an orthodontist appointment. This was not what a mental health day should look like! In fact, I ended up feeling worse because I hadn’t planned properly and had lost a day that should have been for self-care.
To help others avoid my mistakes, I consulted with Amelia Greene, a therapist and life coach, who shared valuable tips for making the most of a mental health day. First, it’s essential to identify what you truly need. Whether it’s a day of reading or some uninterrupted time for spring cleaning, focus on what will genuinely benefit you. “If taking a long bath or reading a book doesn’t resonate with you, don’t force it. Everyone has unique preferences for self-care,” Greene advises.
Your time is precious, especially these days, so ensure it’s spent doing what you enjoy—not what you feel obligated to do. “If you choose to do something that feels ‘too indulgent’ instead of simply resting, you may end up feeling resentful and more exhausted,” she cautions.
Try to plan ahead. Reflect on your needs a few days before your mental health day and set some intentions. “It might take time to determine what you truly want,” Greene notes. Once you have some ideas, make plans—but don’t overbook yourself. Overscheduling can lead to a frantic day, defeating the purpose of taking a break.
If a full mental health day seems impossible right now, consider integrating small self-care moments into your week. According to Greene, “If exercise alleviates your stress, schedule regular workout sessions. If sleep is what you need, put naps on your calendar.” Since my own chaotic mental health day, I’ve started incorporating little acts of self-care into my routine—like painting my nails, ordering new perfume, or enjoying HGTV in the evenings. These small moments have been beneficial.
Remember, you deserve this time! Make the effort to plan a truly restorative mental health day. For further insights, check out this post on home insemination kits, and for additional resources, consider visiting Make a Mom for expert advice and the Cleveland Clinic for valuable information on home insemination.
Leave a Reply