World Mental Health Day: Why You Deserve a Day Off (Without Guilt!) by Deborah Ann Davis, Parenting Coach

Mental health is in the spotlight. October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a day to shed light on the growing mental health crisis worldwide. A day to call on our leaders to act on this crisis. A day to advocate for those struggling with their mental health. And a day to focus on your own mental health and well-being.

In general, we respect and respond to the needs of our physical health much more readily than our mental health. When, in fact, they should carry equal weight. For example, when we’re sick, we check our temperatures with a thermometer. When the thermometer reads a higher than normal reading, we know that my symptoms have a root cause that’s not our fault. Armed with info, we can now repel the attack with rest, sleep, hydration, homemade chicken soup and a sick day.

But, what about the occasions when our mental health is struggling, not so much our physical health? The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10 is “mental health for all.” That includes you and your loved ones, so this week starts a new trend with your family and enjoy a bonafide mental health day.

There’s no stigma associated with taking the weekend off from your job to recharge yourself, right? It’s a societal-approved method of handling the effects of work overload. However, if you’re a parent or just can’t seem to find the time, leaving work means jumping into home-life with both feet, without a smidge of downtime.

Just remember to put yourself first, and the rest will fall into place. You need your downtime to recharge and keep yourself healthy, even when it’s difficult to fit it in. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life – just start small. Small changes accumulate into a bigger, positive impact later. Bonus: Your kids or loved ones will follow your lead.

For maximum impact and accountability, tell your family or friends what you’re doing and why. Ask them to mention when they see a change in your demeanor or overall attitude. Their feedback will fuel your motivation. I suggest sharing your new routine with your loved ones on World Mental Health Awareness Day. Just think of where you’ll be this time next year if you start today.

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