Reset Days: The Exciting Benefits Of Personal Wellness Days

Like most things that inspire me, they often come from random encounters with clients, articles, etc., and this is no different. I stumbled upon an article on the concept of reset days, and then talked to my partner about it, who apparently practiced this concept a lot in the past. So I created an article on the concept. I hope you enjoy it.

 

 

What Is A Rest Day?

 

Well, that depends on who you ask. Reset days, also known as “mental health days” or “personal wellness days,” are dedicated periods where you intentionally take a break from your usual routine to prioritise your wellbeing. These days offer an opportunity to recharge, de-stress, and refocus, leading to increased productivity and overall improvement in mental and physical health.

 

Another version of what a rest day is comes from the Stylist. Their idea of reset days is that once a month, for a whole working day, their staff can disconnect from Slack notifications, avoid meetings and other commitments, and ignore external requests. However, where they differ is that they’re still working, so it’s more like working in a no-distraction bubble, more than a day of rest. At least that’s how they present it in their article on the topic. The idea is this allows them to tap into a state of flow.

 

If you’re fortunate enough to have an employer that allows its employees to have rest days, which mine does, then these days are meant to be used to recharge yourself. This means your employer and managers have to trust you to use that time to take care of yourself, whatever that might mean for you as an individual (Leave Dates).

 

If you’re not fortunate enough to have a reset day policy in place, then check to see if your organisation has a company wellness officer. If you do, then the concept of reset days might be worth suggesting to them. It doesn’t hurt to try.

 

 

Of course, if an organisation has reset days or you want to pitch the idea, then remember that the organisation will want to create policies around these reset days (Health Hero). That way, the organisation as a whole understands what they are.

 

Another take on reset days comes from The Art of Manliness. They argue that we can easily fall into bad habits where one bad week leads into another until everything starts to unravel. They suggest using reset days to help you get back into a good headspace. By having a reset day, you have a solid block of time to get things in order, without the distractions that might come with trying to fit this in during your weekend. You’ll already have other obligations and chores to take care of on your weekends. Thus, they suggest using an annual leave day during the weekday for your reset day.

 

However, because this is coming from an American point of view, it’s not surprising that you’ll have to use an annual leave day, and that’s if you’re even lucky enough to have those in the first place. But let’s assume you do have them, otherwise, it’s quite depressing.

 

Whatever you use your reset days for, it is important to at least make time for some genuinely nourishing activities (Stylist). Whatever that might be for you, such as seeing a friend, reading a book, or gaming.

 

 

Benefits Of Reset Days

 

According to Preston (2021, June 4), research suggests that those of us working remotely are less likely to take time off when they need it, such as when people are unwell. They stated that a survey of 2000 Americans found that 7 out of 10 respondents have worked ill since the covid pandemic.

 

I know I worked ill when I had covid and with the chest infection that followed, which took a long time to overcome. Let’s not forget the untold millions of people who continue to work when stressed, burnout, and suffering from anxiety, among other things (Preston, 2021, June 4).

 

So I make the plea again, why not talk to your organisation about reset days if yours doesn’t already have them? This is an opportunity that could yield a surprisingly high return on such an investment (Preston, 2021, June 4).

 

Restores control

By the time you finish your reset day, you should be in a better place than when you started, whether that’s getting on top of things or taking the day to relax. It’s a good way to get that sense of control back into your life (Frugal Family).

 

 

Reduced stress and anxiety

Taking a break from your daily stressors allows your body and mind to relax and reset, helping to manage stress and anxiety levels.

 

Improved mood and energy

By engaging in activities you enjoy, reset days can boost your mood, increase energy levels, and promote a sense of calm and wellbeing. And if we use our reset days to take a proper break, then it’ll allow us to feel properly refreshed, meaning we’ll feel better and be more productive (Stylist).

 

Enhanced creativity and focus

Stepping away from work or demanding tasks can help clear your mind and spark new ideas. This can also allow for positive intrusive thoughts. When you return to your routine, you might find yourself feeling more focused and creative.

 

Promotes self-care

Reset days provide an opportunity to prioritise self-care activities like getting enough sleep, exercising, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in hobbies you enjoy. This focus on self-care can significantly contribute to your overall wellbeing.

 

 

Designing An Effective Reset Day That Works For You

 

Schedule it

Dedicate a specific day or a few hours within a week to act as your reset day. Consistency can help you reap the long-term benefits.

 

Disconnect

Depending on how you choose to use your reset days, it could mean ignoring work emails and not working on your to-do lists, basically don’t half-arse your reset days when it comes to resting (Stylist). Therefore, minimise distractions and disconnect from everything work-related, social media, and other demanding tasks. Inform others about your intention to disconnect if necessary.

 

Plan activities you enjoy

Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, spending time in nature, taking a nap, practising mindfulness activities, or pursuing hobbies.

 

Prioritise self-care

Focus on activities that nourish your body and mind. This could involve getting a massage, taking a relaxing bath, preparing healthy meals, watching a film or TV series, or simply taking time for quiet reflection.

 

Be mindful

Pay attention to your needs and adjust your plans as needed. If you feel overwhelmed or simply need some quiet time, listen to your body and mind.

 

 

Summary

 

Although we might not all have an employer that will allow for reset days from work, that doesn’t mean we couldn’t benefit from such a day by using annual leave. It’s not ideal, but it can be worth it.

 

Reset days are not about being lazy or unproductive. They are an investment in your wellbeing, with the secondary benefit that it’ll lead to increased productivity, improved overall performance in the long run, and help avoid burnout.

 

You don’t need to spend a whole day on your reset days doing nothing, nor do you have to use the whole day to catch up on takes and chores. Even a few dedicated hours can make a significant difference. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Customise your reset days to what works best for you and your needs. By incorporating regular reset days into your routine, you can prioritise your wellbeing, combat stress, and cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life.

 

As always, leave your feedback in the comments section below. Also, please share your experiences with reset days in the comments section below as well. Don’t forget, if you want to stay up-to-date with my blog, you can sign up for my newsletter below. Alternatively, click the red bell icon in the bottom right corner to get push notifications for new articles.

 

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References

 

Preston, J. (2021, June 4). Reasons to Replace Unused Sick Days with Wellness Days. Linked In. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reasons-replace-unused-sick-days-wellness-camille-preston-phd-pcc.