The Value of Mental Health Breaks
Are you challenged to live authentically and in alignment with your spiritual values on a daily basis? Many of us are so busy every day that it's hard to even remember what spiritual values are when we are on the go from morning to night. We have children to raise, jobs to commute to, work to do, meetings to attend, emails and phone calls to return, soccer practices and music lessons to chauffeur kids to. It's exhausting to think of the obligations we have in our lives. Stop the world, I want to get off!
I hate to tell you that the world ain't stopping for nobody, but you can choose to withdraw periodically to re-charge the battery. I call these mental health breaks because they restore sanity to an otherwise crazy existence. I'm talking about a moment, an hour, an afternoon or a day of doing something that you wouldn't normally take time to do or is outside of your usual routine. I find it especially helpful if I do something that exposes me to beauty.
Yesterday, I took a mental health break and went to an art museum all by myself. I planned to go on Wednesday when admission to the museum is free - breaks don't need to cost a lot of money. I found myself totally immersed in the visual and physical experience of appreciating the sculpture that was on special exhibit. It was like a walking meditation - as I circled each piece, I felt like I was at one with it. It soothed my heart and my soul to see such beauty.
I also attend the symphony regularly to hear my husband, who is a professional musician, perform. Last weekend's concert was heavenly. I weep tears of gratitude for the beauty of the music.
I come back to my office refreshed after experiencing these moments of joy and beauty. My spirit and energy is renewed, and I find that I am highly productive, full of new ideas and vigor. Even though it may seem like you are playing hooky from school, these breaks are essential for creative thinking and stress reduction. I always see the benefit in terms of increased productivity after taking a mental health break.
Please seek out small moments of joy and beauty in your lives everyday and schedule yourself for a monthly mental health break. Do something different. Encounter some beauty.
Affirmation:
I find joy in the beauty that surrounds me. I am worthy of giving myself mental health breaks.
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