We all know we need a mental health day from time to time, but have you ever taken one?
Yesterday, I listened to my body and mind and did just that. I took a whole day off and did no work at all. It was glorious!
How My Mental Health Day Panned Out
I spent the morning doing two of my absolute favourite stress-busting activities: gardening and listening to audio books. I tended and planted, I listened and relaxed. In the afternoon, I sat in the park, soaking up the sun, chatting with friends and watching the kids run and shout and release their school stress.
Finally, I enjoyed dinner at a local pizza restaurant with the best of old friends. By the end of the day I was completely revitalised and ready to get back into focus.
How does that sound? Don’t you feel you deserve a day like that too?
I’m A Small Business, I Don’t Have Time for A Mental Health Day!
That’s what went through my head, and I don’t think I’m alone. But there’s plentiful research which demonstrates that too much stress is a productivity and creativity wrecking ball.
And guys, we all know that productivity and creativity are the lifeblood of our small businesses. So why are we sabotaging all our hard work by not taking that mental health day when we need it?
It was a great article on Wellbeing in small business by Jean Madden of Mental Health First Aid UK that convinced me to take time out. I realised that I was pushing myself too hard and my creativity was suffering.
I expected myself to suck it up and get on with it. But I’d never expect that of anyone else! And this expectation to power through stress seems to be getting worse:
Over a quarter (28%) of millennials said they feel that powering through stress at work is expected, compared to only 12% of baby boomers, with more of this younger generation reporting that stress impacts their productivity (34% vs. 19%).
Wellbeing in small business by Jean Madden
Need Mental Health Tips?
I found this Stress Busting Toolkit from Mental Health First Aid UK via the Wellbeing in small business article. It’s full of great quick tips.
Also check out Leyla Okhai’s blog on the Diverse Minds website. Leyla is a fantastic coach, mediator, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing practitioner with over fifteen years’ experience. Check out Diverse Minds and join her newsletter for more great tips.
My Mental Health Day Takeaway…
From now on, if I need a mental health day, I’m taking one. I hope you will too. Make time. No excuses!
