Ideas for a mental health break

Life can be busy and, at times, stressful. When the stress starts to build, do yourself a favour and give yourself a break!

Getting stressed out can happen anywhere: at work, home or while busy running your kids to their activities and doing errands. When life starts to get you down, take some you-time with these quick activities to clear your head and get you back on track.

At work

Take a quick walk around the block.
Do some simple stretching in your office.
Run up and down a few flights of stairs.
Get out of the office and into the fresh air. Head to a close-by park and do some breathing exercises.
Read a few passages from a motivational website or book.
Take time to daydream.
Go window shopping on your break.
Enjoy people-watching at lunch.
Head to the gym.
Meet your best friend at lunch or on a coffee break.
Get out your iPod and listen to soothing music.

At home

Watch a favourite comedy show.
Pop in a feel-good movie, make a bowl of popcorn and relax.
Have a tickle fight with your kids.
Call up a friend and have a gabfest.
Take your dog to the dog park and watch him run and play.
Cuddle in with your pets.
Have some yummy comfort food, such as mac and cheese or homemade soup.
Bake chocolate chip cookies.
Dim the lights, light a few candles and take a hot bath with lavender-scented bath oil.
Go through old photos and relive the memories.
Have a 20-minute nap to refresh your mind.
Put on some great music and dance.
Immerse yourself in a hobby. Try painting, crafting or photography.
Get lost in a good book.
Write positive affirmations in a gratitude journal.
Take up gardening.

While out and about

Take a break at your local coffee shop. Have a calming herbal tea and watch the world go by.
Stop into an art gallery and lose yourself in the beauty you see.
Turn up the radio in your car and sing out loud.
Practise random acts of kindness on strangers.
Pop into a pet store and watch the fish in the aquarium.
Stop at a park and enjoy the serenity of nature.
Bring out your camera and take photos of things that inspire you.
Head to the zoo to watch the apes and monkeys.
Take time to smell the roses (as well as the other flowers) at a botanical garden or garden centre.
Take a power walk through your neighbourhood.