As mental health professionals the last thing we know how to do is take care of our own mental health. We have convinced ourselves that if we take time away from working and helping other people, the world will stop turning. There's nobody else that can step into our role and know what to do, especially if crisis occurs. Even if we do manage to get away, there's a debate whether it's even worth it because you have to work even harder to make sure nothing is needed while you're gone and you come back to endless needs that have to be addressed immediately.
It almost feels like the system has set us up to fail. The world may not literally stop turning, but who has a position that can be easily covered while they are gone to the point that the endless pile of needs does not exist when they come back?
Today I attempted to take a mental health day. I had actually told my director I needed one weeks ago. The last time I had taken a day off was in March for my birthday. There's been a lot of stress over the last several months with the conctract changing to a new agency, training new employees, still serving families, and just the normal every day practices. The mind can only handle so much stress before it starts to take a toll on the body. Even though I've needed a day off to just regroup, it wasn't until my director insisted that I followed through with taking it. It is so hard not to feel guilty about taking time for ourselves.
What did I do?
First of all, I slept in... a little bit. My car had an appointment at the car doctor for a check-up, where I unfortunately learned I need tires. As I would normally do on a Tuesday, I donated plasma. And... I answered my phone. A day away from work would not be complete without having them call you a few times.
Part of it comes with the territory. As a supervisor in social services it is expected that phone calls will come 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If we are to expect front line workers to be constantly available to clients they are serving, we have to always be available to them.
As strange as it might sound, I actually didn't mind the phone calls today. Instead of becoming frustrated about work calls, I chose to focus on the few things I did FOR ME. I haven't told you that part yet! A mental health day is supposed to improve mental health...
I went shopping and spent money I don't have :D I did shop clearance and attempted to be somewhat financially responsible. Just a little advice for you gentlemen... if you want your woman to feel good about herself, buy her some new clothes! Feeling good in your clothes does wonders for the self-confidence (and mental health). I took my time walking through the mall and treated myself to lunch. On my way home, I again treated myself with Andy's Frozen Custard! It's October, which means time for the Pumpkin Pie Concrete!!! (I know there are a lot of jealous people right now.) And I spent the evening at home.
Mental health days are absolutely necessary for everyone. We all need time to ourselves. But even if you can't get away completely, remember to focus on the moments that are about you. Participate in activities that help you de-stress. A few weeks back I went for a 90 minute massage after work. Again without fail, there was a work crisis during my massage and I heard my phone vibrating. But that 90 minutes was for me; for that 90 minutes work was not my focus. I may not have had a full 24 hours to myself today, but I did have the majority of the day to myself. I got to sleep! I bought new clothes! I had frozen custard! I cuddled with my furry babies!
For my final ME activity of the day, I'm going to go do my nails :D
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