Everybody often experiences stress in their lives. The body’s basic reaction to a change in a situation causes physical and mental tension. It triggers anxiety and frustration, which is a normal part of life.
But when these feelings become too overpowering, it is not healthy anymore. The stress hormones start affecting your brain and muscles and ultimately lead to a mental breakdown.
That’s when you know it’s time to take a mental health break. But what is a mental health break? What should you do or avoid while you’re on a break? This blog will answer all your questions!
What Is A Mental Breakdown?
A phase of extreme mental stress triggered by anxiety can be termed a mental breakdown. It is pretty overwhelming and may lead to the inability to function normally. It even puts your physical health at risk. Therefore, it is important to recognize its symptoms and treat them quickly.
It is characterized by:
- Intense worrying
- Panic
- Change in sleeping pattern
- Irritability
- Fear
- Withdrawal from loved ones
- Difficulty in breathing, and
- A feeling of helplessness
These are the common symptoms of a mental breakdown, but in reality, they differ from person to person.
Although a mental breakdown is not the same thing as a mental disorder or illness, it indicates an underlying mental condition that must pay attention to. It may result from stress building over time or stress arising due to a sudden stressful event.
What Are The Causes Leading To A Mental Breakdown?
Several causes may result in a nervous breakdown:
- The presence of a mental illness
- A major life change
- A sudden tragedy
- Burnout from work
- Abuse
While this may seem scary and debilitating, several ways can help you overcome a mental breakdown. One of them is taking a mental health break!
What Is A Mental Health Break?
Taking a day off from stressful work is the best way to manage stress and return with greater energy levels and a new frame of mind. Your problems won’t disappear magically after taking one break, but it allows you to pause, rewind and reset.
You must remember that a mental health break does not mean that you hide from your problems because, ultimately, facing them is the only way of solving them. A successful mental health break allows you:
- Relax
- De-stress
- Get a handle on your emotions
- Reset your perspective
- Re-evaluate
It is not rocket science. When your body is exhausted, the signs will start to show. Spending time on self-care gives you a mini-break and clears your head.
What Can You Do During Your Break? How do you take a mental health break?
Now that you know what a mental health break is, take some time and figure out what you want to do the most during that break. Do you want to relax? Do you want to spend some time with a loved one? Do you want to visit someplace new?
There are a ton of ways to relax. You can:
1. Take a Walk
Taking a walk is very effective in lifting your mood. It boosts your blood circulation to the brain and helps you to think better. Your nerves calm down, and you feel less stressed.
You can also call up your friends and set targets. Don’t forget to reward yourself each time you achieve a target!
2. Attend a yoga class (or watch a youtube tutorial if you want to stay at home)
There is no surprise that yoga and meditation are highly beneficial for the brain.
They reduce anxiety and depression, improve memory, and make your brain sharp. Not only this, but when therapy is accompanied by yoga, the benefits of therapy are multiplied as well!
3. Watch your favorite movie
Wondering how a movie can help your mental health? We are here to help! We all have experienced a phase where we want to escape our monotonous daily lives.
Watching movies is a healthy way to forget about your worries and just relax temporarily.
It induces the release of dopamine, the pleasure hormone, and provides a cathartic effect by releasing our emotions.
4. Journal
Penning down your thoughts is a fun way to stay organized, clear in your head, and express your creativity.
It helps you boost your mood, enhances your sense of well-being, and puts things in perspective.
Effective journaling is the practice of regularly documenting your short and long-term goals.
5. Get your cozy blanket and take a nap
Daily hassles can be a major source of frustration. Sleeping can relieve your mind of tension and improve your psychological state. Mental health is directly associated with resting properly, and chronic sleep problems affect many Americans.
So if you want to take a nap, take one. It might provide you with the break you need.
6. Do some cleaning
You might be thinking, who wants to do household chores during their break? A cluttered and untidy environment can sometimes make your mind feel depressed. Cleaning, organizing, and arranging stuff has been proven to be therapeutic.
You can utilize your time by organizing that shelf you always wanted to or cleaning your messy bedroom. It will take your attention away from stress, making you feel better.
7. Sit in the sunlight
Spending your entire day indoors, in front of computers and television screens? You might be missing something very important– Sunlight!
If you get the chance, spend your break sitting under the sunlight, absorbing those warm yellow rays. They have been proven to alleviate your mood and help you feel calmer.
8. Take a long shower
Taking a shower can help you with more than just personal hygiene. It can serve as a healthy break from your busy schedule and relax your muscles.
A warm shower reduces the risk of depression, and you feel energized and happy. So, the next time you think of taking a break, tune in some music and treat yourself to a nice warm shower!
9. Spend time in nature
Scientific research has shown that interacting with nature generates positive emotions. It increases your concentration and creativity, provides joy, and improves your mental health and emotional well-being.
The daily hubbub of your life may not give you the time to spend the day connecting with nature, but utilize your break and feel the positivity flowing inside you.
10. Reflect on things you are grateful for
Use your break to be grateful for all the wonderful things around you. Gratitude is a very powerful tool and helps you deal with adversity.
You can relish the good experiences of your life.
It will improve your mental health and quality of life, and you will feel happier.
11. What Should You Avoid During Your Break?
- Avoiding your family and friends won’t make you feel better. Don’t shy away, ask for help if you need it. Surround yourself with positive people.
- You should not follow unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking, drinking, or other substances.
- Spending the day on your phone scrolling through social media apps will raise your anxiety levels and defeat your purpose of taking the break you need.
- Do not overthink your problems, forget them for a while. Try to create room for positivity and some fresh air.
- Do not regret the past. Regret can turn into a lifelong consideration of what could have been. Instead, focus on what’s next.
Conclusion-
No matter how busy you’re in your life, always try to prioritize your mental health and self-care over everything else.
If something is putting your mental health in jeopardy, avoid it. Take frequent mental health breaks! Remember, it does not have to be something big or extraordinary.
Whatever problem there might be, taking a break will allow you to pause, reconsider and make the best choice. Check for signs and symptoms, and seek professional help if the problem persists.
What do you do that makes you forget about your worries? Drop your queries in the comment box!
