Mental health is important for a person’s overall health and well-being. Just as we rest our bodies when we feel sick, the same can be said when we feel emotionally drained, stressed, or even overwhelmed. 

In order to maintain a good mental health it’s important to take mental health days. A mental health day is a planned day that is taken in order to take a break from school, work, or any responsibilities one may have. These planned days allow oneself to rest or restore their emotional wellness.

“Mental health days are beneficial for students because learning how to cope with life’s challenges and building skills at a younger age can promote personal growth and allow more success later in life,” stated Wellness Counselor, Ms. Jazmin Landeros. 

A mental health day can look different to many people. For some it can be a self-care day at a spa, going on a hike, or even talking to a friend or trusted person. Anything that brings a person joy, causes them peace or relaxation is done these days to help relieve any distress. 

“A perfect mental health day for me involves a kid free day, no cooking, or cleaning. Just having a chill and relaxed day at home or even going out to do some shopping,” stated full-time toddler mom of two, Dana Rodriguez.  

Mental health days are really important for people to take whenever they feel overwhelmed, burnout, or stressed. In fact, stress is a state of worry that negatively affects our mental health. Stress targets any and all age groups. According to the World Health Organization website, stress can lead to mental and physical health problems like anxiety and high blood pressure if not managed.

“To help manage stress, I recommend enjoying the little things such as taking a breathing break or partaking in other situations that you haven’t experienced yet. Do whatever it is that helps you reset your mind and jump back into what helps you feel like you again. More importantly, practicing mindfulness, being self-aware and listening to when your mind and body are trying to communicate when you are stressed. Lastly, as cliche as it sounds, focusing on ‘the right now’. Oftentimes stress occurs when we focus too much on the future, or reflect too much on the past. All we truly have control of, is right now,” stated Landeros. 

Mental health days are important and are all about maintaining balance. On campus, there is a variety of Student Support Services to aid anyone who needs support. 

“At LBHS, students have a plethora of resources such as academic, career, and mental health counseling and therapy. This year, counselors are trying to find fun and beneficial activities for students to enjoy during break times. In addition, counselors are providing classroom lessons on motivation to help encourage students to keep trying to achieve their personal goals. We also have Restorative Justice League on campus that is a program designed to train student leaders on skills to help their peers, on campus, with personal issues. The counseling team at LBHS are helpful, however, not mind professional mind readers. Please reach out for anything you may be curious about,” stated Landeros.

For social and emotional health, or any other questions, reach out to our Wellness Counselor, Ms. Landeros in room T-11. And remember, taking a break when feeling stressed or overwhelmed isn’t a weakness, but a smart choice to ensure your well-being, so don’t feel ashamed to prioritize your mental health!