Kids are not immune to the stresses of life. It could be academic stress, like feeling the pressure to perform on a major exam or social stresses with trying to fit in. Problems at home can also lead to anxiety for kids. When kids are under a lot of stress, taking a mental health day can help them cope.
As a mom to two elementary school-aged children, Meredith Teeter is a big proponent of mental health days.
“Yes, sometimes I let my kids have mental health days," she told Mom.com. "If I start to notice signs, I will let them have a day to relax. It helps! I think it also helps them to know that it’s OK to not have it all together all the time.”
What is a mental health day?
What to do on a mental health day
Anything is fair game for a mental health day. With kids, keep the day as unstructured as possible and ask them what they want to do. The idea is to get out of the normal daily routine and not do any of the regular work that causes stress. You want the day to be fun and fulfilling.
Dr. Vinay Saranga from Saranga Psychiatry shared some ideas with Mom.com on how to approach a mental health day. “If your kids like to play basketball, for example, take them to an NBA game. Planning a few activities with close friends is also good," she suggested. "Most important is to ask the question: What would you like to do today? What gives you the most enjoyment? If you could do anything, what would it be?”
