A holiday for the head: A mental health break could be about fostering human connection by spending time with friends or family

Aamirah Thayibah

Talks about mental health have quickly invaded wellness spaces. And rightfully so, as students and professionals are juggling studies, work and social commitments. We are expected to perform at ever-higher standards and at a faster pace. A majority of people are balancing many responsibilities and at some time need a break — just to do nothing.

Taking a mental health holiday can help recharge, be it from work or office. It’s a welcome escape from daily stress, deadlines, and social obligations, as well as the pandemic’s anxieties. People should have the option to take a mental health day-off to practise stress alleviation techniques, rest, think and recharge.

According to a 2005 research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 12 to 13 per cent of Indian school pupils suffer from emotional, behavioural, and academic issues such as anxiety, depression, learning challenges, and suicidal inclinations, among other things. Statistics like this tell us the growing importance of prevention over cure.

Mental health days can be exploited by people to avoid uncomfortable situations such as a colleague or teacher, a mid-term test, or a work presentation. However, there are several warning signals to watch for that may suggest a mental health problem. Exhaustion, stomachaches, headaches, and “erratic” mood swings are among them.

“A stressed brain is in survival mode, not lear ning mode.” says university student, Hema.” I find that I absorb things faster and retain information better if I don’t have the looming threat of a deadline hanging over me”. Parents, teachers and bosses never fail to raise the standards for performance yet fail to invest the same effort for mental health.

When to take a mental health break
“Ultimately, knowing your child and communicating with them is the greatest way for a parent to determine if their child needs a mental health day,” says Miriam, a grievance counsellor at a college. “Behavior is a sort of communication. Parents should not be concerned about overstepping or making their child feel uncomfortable by inquiring about their well-being,” she says. “The more a parent insists on sharing things with their child that they aren’t ready to disclose,” Miriam adds.

It is, nevertheless, critical to pay attention to how you ask. People are not always willing to disclose every aspect of their inner lives with family or colleagues, especially adults. HR professionals should let their employees know that they are willing to share and accommodate.

How to make the most of a mental health day
A mental health day should first and foremost be about resting and recharging. Trying to squeeze too many wellness activities into a single day may just add to your stress level. Allowing oneself to spend the entire day browsing or looking at a screen, on the other hand, may actually worsen your health.

The most productive way to go about recharging is to find the root cause of your distress, while some issues may be solved simply by a good night’s sleep others require a closer, maybe even professional inspection.

The first and foremost step to a healthy break from routine is to unplug. Embark on a digital detox by avoiding your phone, especially social media, laptop or TV screen- unplugging allows time to free up for activities that will allow you to be more in intune with yourself, such as journaling. If you find yourself not having the time to physically take a mental health break at least make an effort to reduce the frivolous use of technology in your day to day routine.

Working in cities, a lot of us are confined within the four walls of our work or classrooms – use your day off to spend some time in nature, breathing in the fresh air. This is also a great chance to get your body moving.

Mental well-being depends on supportive, loving connections with peers, parents, siblings, and other relatives. As a result, a mental health break might entail spending quality time with a trusted friend or family member. Fostering real human connection at this age of virtual meetings is extremely important. Making others happy is a sure-fire way to lighten the load for yourself, try volunteering activities that allow you to get out, help others and also help you get your mind off things.

If you’re someone who prefers alone time, meditation is a time and again proven method of practising mindfulness. Try taking a walk around the neighbourhood or try your hand at visual art mediums such as painting and dance. Any things that spark joy allow for a productive day off.

The modern world moves at a faster pace than before. One should never feel guilty about having