We’re giving you 10 opportunities to easily take a mental health break. It doesn’t have to take long. Check in with yourself!
Caring for your mental health is not a trend. While the stigma around it has recently started breaking down, it has always been and always will be a good investment to practice self-care.
But does the thought of dedicating a large chunk of your time to your mental health feel daunting? Do you feel overwhelmed just starting?
Don’t worry. You are not alone. Just like an effective physical fitness routine, a healthy mental fitness routine takes practice and sometimes, guidance.
Some researchers believe that taking small breaks throughout the day can significantly increase your focus. Avoid cognitive boredom and burnout with small breaks.
If you want a portable, easy, way to take a break, download our app for iOS or Android. Through an Apple Watch with iOS, you can use your heart rate to control the experiences. Through biometric feedback, you can hatch butterflies, power the solar system, and more.
We’re giving you 10 moments in an average day when you can take a mental health break. These breaks can be anywhere from four to ten minutes. Start slow and work your way up to what feels comfortable for you.
1. Before you get out of bed, take a mental health break!
Do you wake up and check your notifications on your phone before you start the day? Replace that habit for one week and change your outlook for the day.
2. While you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, take a mental health break!
If you brew a French press, you have four minutes. If you’re waiting for the whole pot, you have even more time.
3. In line at the drive-thru, take a mental health break!
Turn off the music for a moment and take stock of your thoughts. Take a deep breath and check in with yourself.
4. In between Zoom calls, take a mental health break!
Schedule some buffer time for yourself in between your meetings.
5. When Netflix says, “Are You Still Watching?”, take a mental health break!
We’ve all seen the message. Instead of clicking yes right away, take advantage of the silence and the pause for yourself.
6. After you load up the groceries, take a mental health break!
Sometimes, completing even the essential errands can feel like a mountain climb. Reward yourself by putting yourself first.
7. When you arrive home, sit in your car and take a mental health break!
Use this as an opportunity to restart your day and transition into home life. Whether you’re returning from work, a social activity, or errands, don’t rush into the next thing.
8. When you need to solve a problem, take a mental health break!
Work smarter, not harder. Walking away for a moment can spark new ideas. When you come back to your problem, you might just see it in a different light.
9. After you scroll through social media, take a mental health break!
It’s fun to stay connected with your friends and family, but let’s be honest, social media use can increase feelings of social isolation. Maintain a balance by taking a mental health selfie, however, that looks.
10. After reading this article, take a mental health break!
There’s never a wrong time for self-care, so why not start now?
By incorporating good mental health habits into your day when you naturally take breaks, or being gentle with yourself and taking a break, you can start to build mental resilience and train your brain to be more calm, focused, or mindful.
