Taking a Mental Health Break, Before My Mental Health Breaks.
The first time I ever experienced someone taking a mental health break was a few years ago, when a former co-worker submitted a vacation request. Of course I had heard the term casually thrown here and there, but here it was being used in the context of needing a day off from work. I didn’t know what to think at first – it was a little perplexing – I mean, why not just request a day off from work – if you need a day off from work. The thought of a personal and serious mental health diagnosis may have briefly crossed my mind, but eventually I comfortably settled in to the request being some sort of millennial foolishness and of course, I gave that person the day off.
Now, a few years later – I get it. I truly understand and have a respect for someone to stand in the truth of needing a legitimate break to incorporate some self-care and give attention to their mental health. I’m in a space currently where I’m busy at work. Busy – not stressed. Additionally, I’ve been plugging away at this blog which is stressful, but also fun and exciting. This all came to a boiling point though last week. I was at work and and literally anytime I lifted my head to begin to look at a computer/phone screen; I would feel weird and slightly disoriented. I’ll officially go on record to state that I am inherently a sleep deprived person which I’m sure doesn’t help, but I had to admit to myself that It’s probably time for a mental health break.
In preparation for this post, I did a little research and came across an article on USA Today about a woman who took a few days off of work and did so by emailing her team that she was taking the time for her mental health. I didn’t realize that there was such a stigma surrounding being honest about wanting to take time for a mental health check-in. It’s even more taboo among Black Americans who are often reluctant to make health a priority until it’s too late. It actually makes complete sense to me about needing a break from work and certainly couldn’t bring myself to judge someone else for needing that. I have a lot of respect (and appreciation) for someone who takes time off to reflect on their mental health needs versus their mental health needs surfacing in the middle of a work shift. People use sick time when they take breaks to decompress and that term may be a contributor to some of the stigma. Others could perceive using “sick time” for a mental health break as something seriously wrong when in fact, someone is simply announcing they need a rest for their weary soul. But our mental well being isn’t and shouldn’t be any different from our physical. We should strive to keep both in good shape.
How did I come to the conclusion that it was time? For me personally, I knew it was time to fill out the request for time off myself when I started getting “stress headaches”. It’s like the nagging pull that runs up the back of your neck and gets you in the back of the head and wraps around to the front. It’s the tension build up that you just want massaged away. My memory is the first thing to go too. I lose my keys and phones. And I forget meetings…
Okay, so for example, I was at work Monday and went to the restroom to change for the gym. I change, leave the stall, wash my hands and walk out. As I’m leaving a cab driver walked past me and right into the bathroom. I of course didn’t think anything of it until I realize I left my phone right there, in the stall – just chillin’. I just knew that cab driver was in that bathroom and he was in that stall and had those poop hands all over my brand new iPhone. I go back to the restroom and wouldn’t you know it, he’s in the stall. I was so sad. I really, really wanted that situation to be so different and then he starts straining and grunting and I just can’t deal – so I leave the restroom. I’m standing outside the restroom avoiding nauseousness and trying to figure out a way to get my phone back and just hoping that he’s not going through it or God knows what. This man is in the stall for 15 MINUTES!!! Like a whole break was had while people were sitting in your cab waiting for you to come back and take them to their destination! I’m anxiously waiting for him to come out of the bathroom praying he leaves my phone be and what does he do? Come right out of the restroom with my phone in his damn hand and because I had left the restroom and walked down the hall, I didn’t get an opportunity to even tell if he had washed his hands after 15 solid minutes of bleats and moans coming from the bathroom stall where my silly ass left the phone in the first damn place. That’s a memory problem and that’s not cute.
It’s also hard for me to look at the screens of all my various electronic devices when I’m really done. I just can’t escape the feeling of being trapped and wanting to get out. I literally get tired of thinking and just want to shut off my brain for a while.
Breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health breaks can possibly begin by how we define them. Mental health breaks are restorative. And if we start to view them as a normal part of our self-care routine it becomes a less uncomfortable thing to discuss openly and perhaps may lead others into better mental health practices. I’m going to refer to my self-care plan. My plan that’s designed to deter burnout and restore a sense of balance and well-being. Your self-care plan should include a list of healthy and positive lifestyle choices you can choose from to get grounded and re-gain a sense of self. For example, working out. But these need to be choices that reflect, ultimately, a healthier lifestyle. So let’s say you like to unwind after work with a drink at the local bar. While it’s great to unwind after work with a nice cocktail from time-to-time, because of the risks from drinking like drunk driving, waking up the next day and not remembering what you did the previous night, etc; you’d want to put a healthier alternative in place where the benefits of doing it, without a doubt, outweigh the negatives. So something like yoga or going to a museum would be a better alternative to smoking a couple of squares and binge watching Game of Thrones. I have reading and going on long walks with the 
damn dog (shout out to the damn dog!) in my plan. I’m already selective in my social media usage so it really isn’t a thing to give that a rest while I’m trying not to be in my feelings about stuff going on in the world. I’ll get out of the house and maybe catch up with friends and of course take a day off from work. Meditation is another great idea. I’ve always assumed that meditation would never work for someone like me, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Mental health breaks are no substitution for a real vacation. A solid week or two off to incorporate your restoration plan and do things you enjoy is rejuvenating. It’s like realizing there’s a whole person with interests, passions, and desires that you almost forgot about. This is how we get back to enjoying life and remembering who we are as individuals. In the meantime, taking a little time off to woosah will have to do.
