During this time, I'm here to talk about the importance of mental breaks. I know most of us are at home "relaxing," but really, we aren't relaxed at all; our minds are still racing. So here I am telling you that if you are one of the essential workers such as myself, it is okay to take a day to yourself right now, especially. Trust me, your boss will understand. Your mental health is just as crucial as your physical health, so I'm going to talk about some benefits to taking a mental break. Now during these mental breaks, I know we can't completely shut off our brains or thoughts no matter how much we would like to some days; it is simply not possible. I will give some tips to slow down the mind aside from these benefits.
First, let's start with the benefits of taking a day to breathe. To figure out the benefits, let's start with the part of the brain you are giving a break; your prefrontal cortex. This part of your brain is known for doing all the goal-oriented thinking during our daily tasks. Aside from that, physically resting the body will help ease your mind and allow you to think more clearly, which allows for better productivity. One thing that I've always found that helps put my mind at ease is yoga. When I do yoga, I focus on my breath and how my body feels in the present. I usually also find that when I do this, I get answers because I'm allowing my mind to breathe in a sense.
Do you ever have those moments where you want to do something, but your brain is too fried to write that blog or edit that video? Well, mental breaks help with motivation. This time to give your mind the time to relax gives you the energy to do the things you love and get that last page done on your paper. Did you know mental breaks can also help maintain creativity? You're on the couch napping or chilling under a fuzzy blanket, and you have that moment where you're thinking, "That's a perfect idea," you have your downtime to thank for that. I can't even tell you how many moments I've had like that during times where I was half-asleep on my couch and too tired to grab my sketchbook or laptop. Well, if you're like me, maybe it's a good idea to keep your sketchbook, laptop, or notebook next to you when you're like that.Now that we have talked about the benefits of taking a mental break let's talk about how to get the most out of your mental health day. First, I recommend eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you're feeling pretty good instead of being sluggish, running off of 5 cups of coffee. I personally start my day with a glass of water or a cup of hot tea with my oatmeal. After that, I usually do a relaxing yoga session to calm my mind, but if you don't like yoga, you could always go for a walk to help put yourself at ease. The one thing I don't often do is taking power naps, and personally, I recommend this for everyone. It is the best feeling when you wake up energized and ready to take on the world, well, that is the feeling after a power nap. Meditation is another thing many of us could use a bit of, considering it helps reduce stress and promotes good emotional health. This doesn't have to be lengthy, five minutes is all it takes. I know it sounds long, but in reality, once you start to ease your mind, you will find that it goes by quick. Lastly, tea. One of my favorite things in the whole world. Yes, drinking tea can help your mental health. The caffeine can help you be productive, but if you're like me and drink herbal tea, it can boost your mood. I usually find myself in a better mood when I'm sipping on a hot cup of moringa tea.
I hope quarantine is treating all of you well, and I hope you're all safe and healthy. Remember to take your vitamins, stay hydrated, and wash your hands. Let me know what topics you would like me to cover in the comments below.
Good night Soul Family :)
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