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Today my 8 year old son and I took a mental health day. This was at my suggestion after he’d run into a frustration-styled brick wall. I remember these walls well, when I’d have too much to do, and couldn’t figure out how to take even a single useful step. When I was in school, I used to torture myself with to do lists, working, and yelling about everything I had to do to anyone who would listen, somehow thinking this would move me closer to my goal. I would skip eating, talking with friends, showering and even sleeping to somehow try to make everything that needed to happen, happen.
It never worked.
So, I encouraged my son to take his first mental health day, and thought the best thing I could do, would be to take it with him and to show him how it’s done. If you never learned how to do this, or still don’t really know, then I welcome you to try this VERY simple formula. Simple is the key. I’ll elaborate, but forget all the extra stuff after you glance at it. Just the 1,2,3,4 part is what matters. Really, even just number 1 will do wonders.
One day of this, followed by a night of sleep, and the world will look better. I promise.
How to Take a Mental Health Day
1. Take it. Don’t go to work or school or do “the thing.” Tell appropriate people you are taking a day.
2. Get into nature. A walk in the woods is good. A stroll on the beach. Pet time in nature is awesome. Maybe a swim? What do you like outside? Do that.
3. Do one small task in your living space. That’s it, only one, no bonus points for doing loads of tasks. Maybe you do one load of laundry, or tidy your kitchen. Pick something you can finish, and feel like you have control of something. This is where it all begins, sweeping the floor, so to speak. Did I mistype “weeping the floor”? Yes, at first I did.
4. Tune in to a funny show, movie, comedian, or otherwise laugh at something. Or at least remember a time when laughing was easy for you. Did you ever nearly pee your pants laughing? You don’t have to laugh like that now if its not natural, just remember you have.
There is really not much more to say other than to explain why each of these things brings you back to yourself. Your sane self. But most of you can probably get it without your brain getting busier. I think if you are so overwhelmed that you think that this list “couldn’t ppossssibblllyy work” or that you “just don’t have time for a day like that,” then you really need a day like that. Overwhelm and mental anguish are not your true nature, and you get no bonus points for soldiering through loads of suffering, especially if you are doing for others. You’ll just fry your circuits and ultimately let them down too.
So, by way of 4:00pm report: we’ve had an absolutely beautiful day so far, and also deeply bonding. And I never before knew there’s a formula for what to do on a mental health day. Yet today, I know it, and had a chance to share it with someone I love, so he’ll always know.
If I were to add in one additional comment/liberation on this little 4-step program, it is to sleep if you are tired. Nap if you need to. Sleep is the finest friend to your mental health. The steps above all support it coming easier this day, so please take it early if the spirit moves you.
If there were ever a post I’ve written that I’d like to see go viral, it’s this one. I think if more of us did this when we needed it, the world would be a far better place, a more humane place for all of us humans anyway.
blessings and peace fellow humans,
Elizabeth (and Odin)