Simple Ideas for Your Next Mental Health Day

Many employers believe in improving the overall health of their employees so much that they offer paid mental health days. You can take a day off work when you want to focus on yourself or deal with things at home without worrying about how you’ll make up the loss of income. While you can spend the day sitting on the couch and watching Netflix, you can also use some other simple ideas to make your next mental health day more rewarding.

Spend a Few Hours on Your Budget
It’s hard to relax with you find yourself constantly worrying about your budget. If you feel knots in your stomach when new bills arrive in the mail or worry about whether you have enough money in your emergency fund, it’s the perfect time to sit down and spend a few hours on your budget. Start with a list of all the bills that you pay each month. It’s helpful to use a student loan calculator to see how much your loans will be based on your repayment terms and how much you owe. Once you have a budget in mind, you’ll see how much you can spend on luxuries and how much you can put back in your savings.

Take a Walk
When you have time off work, the last thing you want to do is hit the gym. You can easily burn some calories and get an endorphin boost with a simple walk around the block. Any type of exercise will increase your heart rate and help your body release endorphins that improve your mood. By the time you circle the block and get back home, you’ll instantly feel better. Taking a walk lets you enjoy the nature around you and visit your neighbors. Exercise can also reduce stress.

Hit the Mall
When was the last time that you visited your local mall? Many people only head to the mall when they need specific things such as holiday gifts or a new outfit for work. When you don’t have a set schedule in mind, you can enjoy your trip and relax, which will improve your mood and mental wellbeing. Not only can you stop by the stores that you usually skip and see what new stores popped up, but you can treat yourself to a hot pretzel or some ice cream and focus on yourself.

Pamper Yourself
With the house empty and hours of free time, a mental health day is the perfect time to pamper yourself. You can finally do all those little things that you keep putting off such as getting past the first chapter in a book on your bedside table or taking a long bubble bath. With the right tools, you can give yourself a pedicure and manicure or a facial. You can even indulge your sinful side with takeout food or your favorite snacks and a few guilty pleasure movies or TV shows. No matter how you pamper yourself, you’ll feel great at the end of the day. Treat yourself with a few fun things that are suitable for a mental health day.