5 Overwhelming Signs You Need Mental Health Break

USA Olympic gymnast Simone Biles took an exit from the world’s biggest stage to prioritize her well-being, something so many others need but fail to do. Here are five overwhelming signs you need to take a mental health break.

The lesson about mental health we can learn from Simone Biles

Simond Biles, considered the greatest gymnast of all time, took the unprecedented step of withdrawing from the Olympic competition this week. The move was highly controversial and it no doubt didn’t come easy for Biles, who is been the most dominant gymnast in history, not losing an all-around competition since 2013, News and Guts reported. Biles was widely criticized, with many saying she let down her team are calling her a quitter. In her mind, she was helping her team by stepping aside, feeling her performance was not reliable and might harm the team. The move allowed the alternates to step up and deliver. While America settled for a silver in a team gymnastics competition, Biles feared her performance could cost the US team the podium completely. “We also have to focus on ourselves because, at the end of the day, we’re human, too,” Biles said, according to The Associated Press. “We have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

Mental health disorders affect 1 in 4 adults

The move by Biles should serve as a wake-up call to the many who continue to push themselves when all the signs are there that they need a mental health break. By pushing themselves, they often do damage to themselves and others that could be avoided with a timeout. According to statistics, 1 in 4 adults has a diagnosable mental health disorder. Chronic stress can lead to depression. Toxic workplaces are also another environment that can damage mental well-being. With the above in mind, mental health professionals say it is more important than ever for everyone to place more focus on one’s mental health, as it is often overlooked. Far too often, people push themselves, even when suffering from an illness to the point of burnout, leading to feelings of being overworked and overwhelmed, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The 5 warning signs you need mental health break

Here are the five signs to look for which indicate you may need to take time out for a mental health break.

1. Inability to focus

Unable to keep up with responsibilities. Lack of concentration. Losing sight of the big picture. Inability to complete tasks or manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

2. Relationships are suffering

Relationships across your personal and professional life are being mishandled, neglected, or ignored. Attitudes toward others affected.

3. Demonstrating physical signs of stress.

Signs of fatigue. Health may suffer. Tension and pain in muscles, frequent headaches.

4. Little to no self-care.

Less time or effort focused on personal hygiene. Exercise ignored. Appetite may decrease or increase. Medical and dental care may be skipped or neglected.

5. Low/no energy, burnout.

Feelings of exhaustion. Lack of motivation. Lack of sleep and poor nutrition are typical factors.