Plan a Mental Health Weekend – 5 Steps to De-stress Your Life

Written by Wilma Fuller - 17 Comments
Categories: self improvement

Guess what? The use of life-enhancing devices such as cell phones and laptops has not changed the fact that you have too much to accomplish each day. And, with only twenty-four hours available, you try your best to get the most from each hour.

That would be easy if you only had one hat to wear in life but you don’t. You’re a parent, partner, worker, student, and friend to many, many people. All these hats usually fit well and are ones that you wear with pride.

However, there are days when the number of hats feels a little too tight to be comfortable. Days when the need for down time is overwhelming and the desire to do things that bring joy into your life grows stronger and stronger. When time to refresh and energize takes center stage, schedule a mental health weekend. Toss your hats in a corner and take a break to restore some of the calm, clarity, and focus in your life.

Step #1: Make yourself a priority.

Too often others receive the attention that we neglect to give to ourselves. Schedule time for yourself and guard this appointment as carefully as you would a medical exam or client meeting. Don’t answer your cell. Unplug all but the most necessary electronic devices. If you have small children and can only manage to take a few hours or a single day, do it. If you are a busy executive, close your office door and daydream for a few minutes. Tell your family, friends, and everyone else that you are not available during this time. Don’t feel guilty and don’t cave in to outside pressures; give yourself time to adjust to the freedom to just be.

Step #2: Dress comfortably.

This is the time to chill-out and be comfy. Kick off those shoes. Wear clothing that signals it’s okay to relax with no other purpose than to take it easy. Slip into those warm flannel jammies that Aunt Lou gave you a few years ago. If you get the same feeling from jeans and a tee shirt, go for it. Dress to please yourself not others.

Step #3: Get the glow.

Choose to focus on an activity that creates delight in your soul. Sit back and view classic movies, crank up the volume of your favorite music, or paint a watercolor landscape. Begin a journal, practice a musical instrument, or take a bubble bath. Missed the most recent episode of Glee? View it now. Whatever you choose should give you a warm happy glow.

Step #4: Eat simple.

Foods should be low-key and relaxed. Fresh fruits and salads or take-out meals are quick, easy, and clean up in a few minutes. See how creative you can be using foods already in the fridge.  Save your energy for activities that will leave you feeling invigorated and recharged. Leave the dirty pots and pans for another day.

Step #5: Have Fun.

Your mental health weekend has to be what you want it to be. It should generate positive spirits and strong feelings of contentment.

  • · It should not be a chore
  • · It should not be another item to tick off the to-do list
  • · It should not create frustration or disappointment

A lot can be accomplished in a weekend by using these simple but effective ways to decompress from a busy life. You’ll return to your regular activities with renewed focus and vigor – ready to retrieve your many hats from the corner and face the world again.

Wilma Fuller is a freelance writer and teacher. You can read more about her at http://about.me/wilmafuller

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  • http://www.planetnaveen.com Naveen | Winning Ideas

    Well said,
    De-stressing ourselves in this modern is very important and the tips you mentioned are really useful.

    I liked the point which says “make yourself a priority”. Very well said.

    Thanks for the post.

    Latest on my blog

    http://www.planetnaveen.com/2011/06/why-discovering-your-true-passion-is-so-important-in-life/

  • http://www.planetnaveen.com Naveen | Winning Ideas

    Very well said.
    De-stressing ourselves is very important in the modern age and the points you mentioned are really useful.

    Especially the point which says “make yourself a priority” is very much needed to achieve the de-stressing goal.

    Thanks for this post

  • Al Pittampalli

    Good reminder Wilma. Sometimes I get so caught up in achieving, I forget that stopping and disengaging for a while, will aid me in those achievements long term.

  • Chetan

    Good post Wilma ! I try to de-stress myself by going for trekking on weekend or doing long run. It gives me power to work again for next week :)

  • http://www.theemotionmachine.com Steven

    It’s important to take care of yourself and let yourself relax and enjoy life. It’s not selfish, although I think some see it that way. The way I see it: if you can’t enjoy life and take care of yourself, you can expect to be able to help others enjoy life.

  • http://fit2b.us Bethany – Fit2B Studio

    I think it’s selfish to put yourself first, if you are doing things that aren’t focused on replenishing and re-energizing yourself so that you can be a better person within your community. Forking out money and time for a weekly pedicure so you can feel good about yourself when you could paint your own toe-nails and give that money to World Vision or Joplin relief efforts … well, I take time to workout so I can be stronger to carry my kids and live long enough to hold my great-grandbabies. I take time to unwind and relax during naptime so I can be a more patient mother when my kids wake up. It’s all about the focus :)

  • Wilma

    Chetan,
    Thanks for your comment. I did not even address physical exercise but it is another great way to de-stress.
    Wilma

  • Wilma

    Bethany,
    I agree.It is all about priorities and focus. Thanks for your comments.
    Wilma

  • http://www.Mazzastick.com Justin | Mazzastick

    Hi Wilma,
    If I have to wear one more hat without removing a few my neck is gonna snap.

    Seriously though, we need to get back to basics in life. There are way more options available for us in our modern world. This has taken away the simplicity that many of us desire.

  • http://www.personal-development-is-fun.com/stress-management-activity-1.html Meghashyam Chirravoori

    I really LOVED reading this post. :) The line I loved most was “Make yourself a priority”. Many times we get so involved in doing this, that, that for others that we just forget about being with “ourselves” relaxing, and smiling. :) I liked that daydreaming example very much.

    Thank you for inspiring.

  • http://wp.me/p1lmv2-fY Heidi

    I agree we all need to take a break. My breaks are a bit more extended and isolated but however it happens, it definitely needs to happen!

  • http://www.klonopinwithdrawal.com Klonopin

    I liked the point about dressing down (second point). I have always done this and feel relaxed. When I wear a suit at work – I feel pretty uptight, even though I really don’t notice it. Looking back, it would feel a lot better wearing jeans, tshirt and flip-flops into the office. However, I still would be a little tense since I would be the only one going it. :)

  • http://www.clintcora.com Clint Cora

    Getting rid of the cellphones idea reminds me of an incident up at the ski slopes this past winter. I teach skiing as a social activity during the winter and one of my ski students was this young guy who just had to take out his cellphone on the slope to check messages. Sure enough, he thought that he put his phone back into his pocket when in reality, he missed and lost his new iPhone somewhere on the slopes. That taught him something. I told him that I don’t carry a cellphone when I’m skiing because I don’t want to be bothered. If somebody has a message that is important, they will leave a voicemail which I can get to later.

  • http://yahoo Ronald C Holmes

    i believe just as long as a individual tries to resolve their personal,family ,vocational,etc life on their on without any Divine intervention theyre destine headed for a major train collision, derailment that will eventually cause a major disaster in a person life.

  • http://piece-of-trip.net/ POT

    I survived on this page.
    Thank you Wilma Fuller.

  • kashyap

    stress is a parasite that eats out the person from inside. stress is considered to be the main cause of all diseases. nowadays working in office has become so stressful that people suffers from mental disorders like depression, anxiety.here is a simple technique that can be used to instantly reduce stress @http://24x7meditation.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-instant-relaxation-exercises-for-busy.htmllisten relaxation music its also great for stress relief http://24x7meditation.blogspot.com/2011/11/relaxation-music.html

  • http://www.freemp3meditationdownloads.com/ music and meditation

    Great post..thanks for sharing..regards and have a good one..