Mental health, a state of well-being, includes your emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, psychological, occupational and social state.
These aspects of your life can influence how you think, feel and act, explains Specialist Wellness Counsellor Louise Clarence, who is registered with the Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP). They also determine how you handle stress and make day-to-day choices. Hence, with life’s hustle and bustle, we must slow down and take a mental breather.
Signs you need a mental health break
Malcolm Pillay, a clinical psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders, notes that you can either contact a healthcare professional for assistance or take a mental health break if you experience any of the following signs: you feel sad, tearful, irritable or anxious; you feel emotionally and physically exhausted; you experience sleep disturbances; you have unexplained aches and pains; you feel helpless, hopeless and powerless; you withdraw or avoid social situations; you frequently call in sick to work or miss appointments; you have difficulty concentrating or remembering things; you experience more frequent infections (as stress affects the immune system); or you have suicidal thoughts or think about harming yourself or others.
The importance and benefits of a mental health break
Louise states, ‘At times, taking a mental health break is seen as a luxury because modern society values productivity over their own well-being, but this cannot be further from the truth.’ She adds that taking mental health breaks is essential to live a healthy, functional and balanced life for the short- and long-term. It can also prevent burnout – a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion caused by consistent stress.
‘Burnout does not happen overnight. It happens over a prolonged period and can make you feel less efficient. That is why it is crucial to implement mental health breaks and make them part of your lifestyle so that you do not need to experience the harshness that it causes,’ adds the specialist wellness counsellor.
The benefits of a mental health break include boosting your productivity and helping you feel more refreshed and physically healthy. Explaining the boost in productivity, Louise says, ‘People think taking a break means you fall behind on your work. On the contrary, it can improve creativity and productivity.’
The more refreshed you feel, the better you are able to handle tasks with renewed energy and a more focused mind. Expanding on the last point, Louise shares that if you look after your mental health, your body will be less likely to experience various issues. Instead, it will be functional and healthy.
Because mental health can have a ripple effect on your physical health, people who experience prolonged stress can start developing various health issues, such as lowered immunity, headaches, fatigue, digestive problems and heart issues. Louise adds, ‘It is vital to take mental health breaks so that you can prevent yourself from putting your body and mind under strain.’
Malcolm explains that taking a mental health break involves more than just walking away from a stressful situation. Rather, it is about actively and intentionally engaging in activities that help destress and recharge your mind, heart and soul.
Louise adds that taking such a break can look like various tasks, depending on what makes you feel more empowered as one size does not fit all. You can choose to customise your breaks to whatever best suits your needs and circumstances.
Louise lists the below examples of how you can take a mental health break:
- Move your body: This physical movement can include standing up and shaking your arms and legs, or doing jumping jacks for 30 seconds.
- Meditate: Meditation reduces stress. Before starting the day or heading off to bed, take at least five to 15 minutes to allow your mind to find its centre.
- Take a short walk: This activity can boost your mood and lower stress levels.
- Spend time in nature: Another useful way to take a mental health break is to spend time outdoors, taking in the fresh air.
- Connect with someone with whom you feel safe sharing your worries: Whether a friend, family member or counsellor, these people can provide emotional relief and allow you to see a situation from another perspective.
Originally published for print in BONA Magazine
Writer: Jade Rhode
Also see: The mental health garden: Plants that nurture your well-being
