Let’s face it: we’re all stressed. Sometimes we need a day off from the constant running around before we find ourselves running through a door, or even a wall. Dealing with the pressures from work, love, and life can really stress a person out. So what can be done about this? Well, we need to stop, take a deep breath, and relax. Sometimes we just need a break, which can be as simple as a mental health day.
The characters in Friends know this feeling all too well. They know that no one told them life was going to be this way (where your job’s a joke, you’re broke, and your love life is D.O.A. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear.) But fear not! Here are some ideas to spend your mental health day:
1. Run
Do you ever feel like running away from it all? Then actually run! Run like you don’t have a care in the world, like Phoebe. It doesn’t matter what other people think– focus on what you think and how you feel.
2. Learn
Keeping your mind active is healthy, and it correlates to a decrease in risk of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Learning can be as easy going to Google: Look up topics you are interested in. If you’re not sure what to research, scroll through a news site like the New York Times. Or you can always opt for a book: Professor Gellar enjoys reading.
3. Shop
Buy something for yourself. You feel good when you look good. Rachel knows this, and even more, that your best look is when you smile. So even if you don’t buy an outfit, purchase something that makes you happy.
4. Laugh
Research shows that laughter is good for reducing stress hormones and boosting immune function. It also improves your well-being. Chandler likes to laugh, make jokes, and dance when he’s happy. Find jokes or watch videos that make you laugh. You can look on YouTube or even watch a show that you find funny– we recommend Friends.
5. Do something childish
Do you ever just want to take a moment and be a kid again? Times were so much fun when you had less responsibilities. They were also more creative, and your imagination was able to run wild. Let your imaginative mind run wild. Behave like a kid. Joey has many ideas on how to do this, like building forts.
6. Clean
Sometimes when you’re stressed, you feel like a mess; it’s a good time to de-stress and clean up. If you’re disorganized, cleaning can allow you to organize and figure out ways to make accomplishing your daily tasks around your home easier. You might also find things that you thought you lost or simply forgot about along the way. Finding these things may spark fond memories that lighten your mood. Monica loves to clean, and uses cleaning as a stress relief.
7. Spend time with friends
Having time to yourself is beneficial, but no one wants to be alone all the time. Spending time with friends, or even just one friend, reminds you that you’re never really alone and that even if it hasn’t been your day, your month, or even your year, people will be there for you.
So, Collegiettes, what do you think: could this day be any more perfect?