The Benefits of Having One Lazy Day A Week

In many cultures, self-worth is closely tied to an individual’s ability to be productive. This mindset can make it difficult to “allow” yourself to relax and feel like it’s okay to take a day off. But, emerging research indicates that dedicating one day a week to low-stress, low-responsibility activities can help to reduce anxiety, burnout, and improve mood regulation. 

What Do You Actually Do on a Mental Health Day?

It’s important to give yourself grace and try to challenge any thoughts that make you feel guilty about taking a day off. Reassure yourself that self-care is just as important as hygiene, exercising, eating proper nutrients and sleeping. 

The goal is to nurture your brain, to allow it to rest. While okay in short bursts, consuming short-form media (like TikToks) can overstimulate your mind. Consider alternative activities such as reading a book, knitting or crocheting, crossword puzzles and movies. Furthermore, light, easy exercise like yoga or a walk outdoors can reduce stress and serve as a way to reset attention. Meditation can be a great way to start the day, helping to clear your mind and allow space for relaxation. 

Catching up on sleep can also be restorative. A short nap in the afternoon likely won’t make it difficult to fall asleep that night, and can make you feel more energized. If sleep won’t come, but you’re feeling tired, resting with low stimulation can still help to nurture your brain while keeping stress levels low.

What if I Can’t Do It?

It may not be easy to take a full day right away. Start with smaller goals, such as reading a book for an hour without checking your phone for work notifications. Meditate for just a few minutes a night to get in the habit, or go for a small walk in the evening. Disconnecting and relaxing are skills that can be practiced and may take time to achieve. If you need some help planning, a sample schedule of a mental health day is as follows:

• • Wake up according to your internal clock (no alarms).
  • 5-minute meditation for relaxation
  • Nourishing breakfast
  • Stretching, yoga, outdoor walk, or other light exercise you enjoy
  • Nourishing lunch
  • Afternoon nap (ideally 30-90 minutes).
  • Low-stimulation activities include reading, watching movies, and other similar pursuits.
  • Easy dinner
  • After-dinner bath or self-care (skin care, hair mask, etc.)

At Allegro, we’re happy to provide more strategies to lower stress levels and reduce burnout. To learn more, book a consultation here.