Take a Chill Pill
If you’re exhausted from juggling childcare and your full-time job, feeling extra anxious or overwhelmed these days, upset about having to cancel that vacation you had planned, or maybe just feeling more blah than usual, it may be time for a mental health day. A mental health day is like a reset button that can help you get back into the grind with new energy and positive vibes. Plus if you have PTO as a benefit, your company is paying you to take time off if you so choose. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
So you’ve chosen to make your mental health a priority and take some time off. Now what? First of all, welcome to the cool kids table. And to answer your question, the goal here is to treat yourself to a special day to relax and enjoy yourself. But while we’re in quarantine, you might be wondering what you would even do with a day off when you can’t go anywhere. Well fear not, I’ve compiled a small list of activities to inspire you.
Catch up on lost sleep. Find the perfect spot to take a nap. Use fresh sheets and the best pillow you have. Wear your favorite pajamas. Do some yoga or meditation to relieve any excess stress and tension in your body. Eat a turkey dinner to make yourself happy sleepy. Really go for it and make it the best nap you’ve ever had!
Read a good book. Get nestled in a cozy reading nook. Put on a soft robe and cozy slippers. Grab your favorite drink. Make yourself a cheese plate to graze on. You can finally finish the book you’ve been meaning to read or read Harry Potter again for the hundredth time.
Watch your favorite movies. Create your perfect marathon. Note that home movies can also be a fun addition! Pop some popcorn, get a box of your favorite candy, and maybe order some pizza. Bring out the cooler to stash your drink of choice. Really go all out to create the perfect home theater experience.
Bring vacation home. Did you have to cancel that vacation to Thailand? Find a local Thai restaurant that’s open for takeout or delivery. Or you can try making pad thai or papaya salad at home. (You can find recipes on my sister’s food blog!) Play some themed music and put out some decorations. Throw down some beach towels, make yourself a Thai iced tea, and play some “beach sounds” off your laptop. If you want an authentic Thailand experience, turn on that space heater and humidifier.
Enjoy a spa day. Soak in a bath while binge watching your favorite TV show. Give yourself a mani-pedi and be creative with it (draw smiley faces on your big toes!). Put on a face mask complete with the cucumber slices on your eyes. Light your favorite candles. Give yourself a blow-out. Do not cut your own bangs… or whatever, maybe you should go for it. YOLO.
Have a picnic. If you have a yard, throw a blanket on the grass, grill some burgers and hot dogs, throw on that oldies playlist, bring out the corn hole or can jam, and have a nice day outside. If you live in an apartment, you can bring the fun inside! Push the furniture out of the way and set up your picnic indoors.
Try a bunch of new things. Follow along with a Bob Ross video and paint a scenic landscape that looks nothing like it’s supposed to. Learn how to make a pizza and attempt a pizza toss (don’t hit the overhead fan!). Try fashioning a quilt with your old t-shirts. Follow a dance tutorial online and learn some new moves. Do something you always wanted to try and don’t be afraid to suck at it. If you end up laughing your a** off at the DIY project that you “nailed,” I’d call that a success.
Play games. Crack open a puzzle or board game to play with your family. Build a fort in your living room solely for eating hot cheetos and watching 90s cartoons. Get the gang together via Zoom and play a game of Pictionary or charades. Work on a crossword puzzle or Sudoku while your dog cuddles in your lap. Just have fun and let loose!
You can of course fit these activities during the weekend or after work. But also, stop being so stingy with your PTO days. You earned those days, why aren’t you using them? You can come back to work refreshed, reenergized, and ready to take on that project. (Plus you’ll be less likely to snap at those Crabcatchers for singing outside your window if you just unwindulax.)