Let’s face it, we live in a very fast-paced world, with new information streaming into our conscious awareness constantly. Our brains can only process a small amount of this information, so it’s understandable why all of the input can be overwhelming. There’s no shame in feeling overwhelmed and stressed out; it’s simply your body’s way of telling you that something needs to be done differently. See it as a good thing and think of these emotions and symptoms of overwhelm as alarm bells ringing off that you’re taking on too much and you may need to slow down and reprioritize.

Here are a few common signs that you may need to take a mental health day.

1. You’re Easily Irritated

When we’re overworked and stressed, it becomes much easier to become irritated and lose our temper over the small things. If you happen to notice yourself acting out of character, then that might be a sign that you need a mental health day to relax and destress. You don’t want to damage relationships (professional or personal) just because you’re feeling burnt out. Journaling for mental health is a great way to release your feelings on paper, as opposed to taking it out on your coworkers.

2. Feelings of Anxiousness

Does the thought of going to work fill you with feelings of anxiety? If this sounds like you, this may be a sign that you need a day away from the stress of the office. When you stay in a state of constant stress and anxiety, you get worn out in all the wrong ways, wearing down the body’s natural defenses, and leading to a variety of physical symptoms. While stress is incredibly prevalent in our lives, it doesn’t mean we can’t find healthy and effective ways to manage it. Taking a self-care day to relax and unwind is sometimes all you need to recharge.

3. Trouble Focusing

Stress can wreak havoc on all processes of your body. Stress, in particular, can impair your ability to focus, making it more difficult to get your work done. Stress can also affect your ability to retain new information and can impair your memory. Rather than relying on chemical medicines and sugary potions to keep you focused and energized, why not try something a little more sustainable and a little better for your body? Allow yourself to rest.

4. You Keep Getting Sick

Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief. Chronic stress can negatively impact your immune response, according to health experts and researchers. Specifically, this leads to an overworked and tension-riddled body, sometimes “linked to 6 of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.” To alleviate some of your stress, try taking a mental health break from work.

5. You Feel Disconnected

Another one of the signs you may need a mental health day is feeling disconnected from the people around you. You may begin to feel drained from social interactions or as if no one understands what you’re going through. Normal exchanges with your friends, family, or coworkers may suddenly seem daunting and exhausting. If so, you may want to consider taking a day or two for yourself so you can return feeling your best!

10 Habits for Your Mental Health 

Source: Lavendaire/YouTube

Lavendaire shared her top 10 habits for better mental health: positive habits for mental & emotional wellness.

How To Lower Stress When You’re Overwhelmed

Self-care is extremely important. The time and nurturing directed toward yourself builds you up from the inside out, leaving you feeling ready for your day. Contrary to old beliefs, self-care is not selfish. It’s a must for a healthy, well-balanced life. There are your basic self-care routines, including your hygiene routine, your exercise routine, and your meal routine, as well as time for interests and creativity and quiet alone time to recharge your batteries. Implementing a mediation practice has also been shown to decrease levels of stress and anxiety profoundly. Start your day out right by implementing a morning self-care routine before you do anything else.

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