As midterms and other exams come and go, stress among students can pile up just as quickly as the work they are assigned. According to a study by U.S. News & World Report, around 70% of college students have dealt with some form of mental health challenge.
As stress builds up, it is important to take a break every now and then. For some, this may culminate in a mental health day – a day away from all responsibilities and stressors such as work, school, social media or chores. It does not even have to be a full day, it could just be a few hours for a person to take a break and rest their mind.
Allowing time for mental rest and relaxation comes with a host of benefits. The first and arguably biggest is reducing the chance of burnout. By piling on work, assignments and other responsibilities, the possibility of getting burnt out – either mentally or even in some cases physically – increases dramatically.
When someone hits that point, it becomes harder to do everyday tasks, which results in less motivation to be productive. Once that point is hit, it can be difficult to get out of it. By taking time away from things causing stress, hitting the point of burnout can be delayed or avoided altogether.
Taking a mental health day may also help to clear away clutter in the mind. As tasks build up, it can be difficult to keep everything in order, and some assignments or deadlines may be forgotten. By taking some time away from these daily burdens, people can get their minds back on track to sort out what needs to get done and when.
Once that time is taken, there are a few things someone can do to help ease their mind. One of the best is to get outside. According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, nature can have a relaxing effect on the mind.
Another option is to engage in a creative outlet. Having some form of creative expression can help as a mental distraction from negative thoughts and stressors, while also providing a way to get the hands moving.
Finally, an option during a mental health day is just to rest and take it easy. According to Psychology Today, taking a 30 to 60-minute nap can improve brain health and cognitive function. That sweet zone of time for a nap can also help one feel more rested if they lack regular sleep.
The biggest issue with mental health days is access. Many companies do not have policies that allow for days off due to mental health; although universities may be more lenient with days missed from class without excuse, it is ultimately up to the professor’s discretion.
To be able to increase policies in companies and schools that allow for excused absences due to mental health, awareness of the option of mental health days needs to be spread. Letting bosses, managers, professors and university officials know about the benefits of built-in mental health days is key to being able to implement the policies around them.
If those with the ability to make change know of the benefits of mental health days and allow for better access to them, they will become more available to everyone. Everyone experiences stress and some form of anxiety, whether they deal with other mental struggles or not, meaning anyone should be able to take a day off to rest and reset without judgment.
Ethan Herx is a sophomore studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
