Why Mental Health Breaks Are Important

This year, we’ve experienced a lot of changes that are contributing to stress and uncertainty. It’s essential that we pause to soothe and reflect. The quality time that we spend on ourselves energizes us so that we can be there for others and feel revitalized.

Day to day or even hour to hour, our energy levels change. One day we may be motivated and productive and the others we may need a longer break. Give yourself permission to take a mental health break because we need to stay balanced. Allow yourself the space to breathe and regroup. Meet yourself where you are today - you can take note in the morning mentally or in a journal where your energy level is (low, neutral, high), from there take a pause if you need it or start your day. Throughout the day, continue to check in with your energy. There might be a day where you start high and then in the afternoon your energy level lowers. Take a mental health break that afternoon then return to your day once you’re more energized.

During your mental health break, take a deep breath and turn inward to your power and take note of your feelings and needs. Your breath is there any time you need to check-in. From the top of our inhale to the bottom of your exhale - meet yourself where you are today. If you find your mind wandering, gently guide yourself back to your breath to recenter. Imagine yourself breathing in nourishment and releasing tension on your exhale. Then pause in this moment with gratitude - thank yourself for being compassionate with where you are today.