Let’s talk about Self and Soul Care.

Taking a mental health day can feel challenging for those who have always been taught to give and give and give some more. Because of this, it is often something that we need to practice on the regular. Some of us think, “With so much work to do, I can’t take the extra hours off to focus on myself.” But we are here to remind you: it is essential for your well-being and mental health. And you deserve it.

So, what is Self and Soul Care, and what does it look like?

Self and Soul Care means taking time off work, school, parenting, or whatever else is keeping your time to focus on your own mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.  It's not just about getting a massage, going to acupuncture, or a water journey at a spa (although those can also be amazing, albeit it expensive, and healing for those who enjoy this kind of touch and experience). It's about making sure you have time to do things that make you happy, like eating delicious food or engaging in an activity that brings you joy. Think: dancing, watching a movie, noticing the amazing smell in the air, seeing that butterfly fluttering by, noticing the warmth of the sun on your skin.

We often want to sleep when we have been going nonstop, as many of us are. And yes, sleep is absolutely vital for a stable mind and body. Self and Soul Care takes this further, as sleep isn’t always enough to rebuild our internal reserves. Sometimes, sleep might be the only thing we need to feel better, which is terrific! Take that nap mid-day, sleep at 8 PM, and wake up 12 hours later, sometimes if you want to! Also, be aware that sometimes we sleep too much, making us feel more tired, which can seem counterintuitive. Self and Soul Care is about finding the things that bring joy to our body, hearts, spirit, and mind. What is that for you? Maybe you don’t yet know... And that’s ok too. It took me into my 40s to know it was the quiet and connection to nature that gardening did it for me. If you don’t know your thing, consider this a challenge! Go out and ask your friends what they do to help themselves rejuvenate, or search on your socials for things people enjoy to reset. Find your thing! You owe that to yourself. Life is waaaaaay to stressful not to have your thing.

Knowing when you need a mental health day is not always easy. If you're reading this, you're likely feeling stressed. You've got a lot on your plate: work, family, friends, and personal health.

Here are some signs you know that it's time to take a mental health day:

• Your body hurts, but maybe your mind feels “fine”;

• You can hardly concentrate on the task, feeling like you have too much on your plate;

• You feel like you don't have enough time to complete everything. And when you feel overwhelmed and stressed, it's easy to let yourself fall through the cracks. Thus, losing focus on what you are doing and extending more hours;

• You are feeling more irritable;

• You can’t sleep;

• You’re storm eating or not eating enough;

• You are isolating;

• You are using more substances;

• You are checking out with technology;

• You feel like the world is against you: work, family, or friends, and as if there is nothing you can do about it (falling into a victim mode);

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, it can be challenging to know how to take care of yourself when you're feeling at your worst. Here are some tips for how to take care of yourself when you need it most:

1. Plan! Set a specific day to take the day off and plan activities.

2. Make sure there's someone who will check up on you if something goes wrong—whether it's a roommate or a significant other, someone should be keeping tabs on how things are going so they can offer help if necessary.

3. Set aside time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation—like listening to music, taking a bath, going hiking, planting some seeds, going to a restorative yoga class, or baking —so that when you're feeling low and stressed out from work or school obligations or some personal issues (or whatever else might be bothering you), this is the best time to treat yourself to something stimulating.

4. Disconnecting from social media or technology to relax and recharge. So you can have time to reflect on the things you need to improve on or the issues you must face and resolve.

So, if you have ever felt like you needed a mental health day, you're not alone! We all have been there; it’s normal, natural, and part of the human experience. And it’s magnificent to give yourself a day off to refresh and start anew. An effective mental health day is so much more than just one day…. it’s about you loving yourself, supporting yourself, and finding ways to make friends with yourself. This is about your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being and creating habits that will become a foundation for you to stand upon in times of weakness. By focusing on all aspects of your health, you can recharge and feel more energized and motivated to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.

I know how hard it can be to give yourself something like this. But we have to do it. YOU deserve this. The world needs you. You have come on this planet for a reason, and by finding what feeds your soul, you will be able to stand taller and know and find your worth. Because you are worthy of all things good, start today. Start right now... Go find your “thing.” And please, let us know what that is for you so we can start creating more resources for others as suggestions. We are in this together. And together, we will rise!

Onward and upward <3