{"id":270696,"date":"2025-11-08T20:39:42","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T20:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/270696\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T20:39:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T20:39:42","slug":"feeling-overwhelmed-taking-an-invisible-day-could-be-the-reset-you-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/270696\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling Overwhelmed? Taking an “Invisible Day” Could Be the Reset You Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feeling pulled in ten different directions by emails, texts, and lists is so common that we don\u2019t realize in the moment how much it\u2019s draining our mental health<\/a>. Eventually, the constant ping of notifications can lead to, at best, feeling overstimulated or, at worst, feeling burned out. Enter the new-ish wellness idea: the \u201cinvisible day.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The practice isn\u2019t about intentionally ghosting loved ones or neglecting your responsibilities. Instead, it\u2019s a structured pause that lets your mind and body reset without external demands. We spoke with a couple of mental health experts who shared its potential benefits, how to make the most of the time, and who should avoid this pause altogether. Here\u2019s what you need to know.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Barbara Guimaraes<\/a>, LMSW, therapist, coach, and founder of Mental Nesting
\nNicole Villegas<\/a>, OTD, occupational therapist, educator, and founder of the Sensory Conscious Institute<\/p>\n

What Is an Invisible Day? <\/p>\n

The idea behind an invisible day is pretty straightforward: \u201cAn invisible day means going completely off the grid for 24 hours,\u201d says therapist Barbara Guimaraes, LMSW. \u201cNo one can reach you. You don\u2019t respond to anything or anyone. You simply disappear for a day.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

For Guimaraes, the practice came from personal experience. \u201cI started doing these a couple of years ago when I realized I was always connected,\u201d she says. \u201cI would wake up and immediately check my phone, take it to the bathroom, and scroll before going to sleep. I didn\u2019t even know how tired I was until I stopped.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

When we asked occupational therapist Nicole Villegas, OTD, how she defines an invisible day, she described it as time spent outside of your usual routine. \u201cOn an \u2018invisible day,\u2019 your roles, responsibilities to others, and sense of performing your life is halted, as if you’re invisible,\u201d she says, adding that the extra time could be spent around others or completely alone, so long as self-care takes priority<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Benefits of Taking an Invisible Day <\/p>\n

Invisible days can potentially shift how your body and mind function. Here\u2019s how stepping away from constant availability can create space for recovery, self-reflection, and even a spark of creativity.\n<\/p>\n

Giving Your Nervous System a Break <\/p>\n

\u201cMost of us don\u2019t realize that we\u2019re under constant low-level stress from being available all the time,\u201d Guimaraes says. \u201cYour body is always waiting for the next notification or interruption. When you go invisible, that sense of alertness can actually turn off.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Beyond reducing mental strain, Villegas says taking time away can actually decrease cortisol and help you move into recovery mode. \u201cThis helps you think more clearly, gain perspective on your life, and decrease physical illness associated with stress.\u201d You\u2019ll know if a reset is needed if you\u2019re experiencing symptoms of burnout<\/a>, like constant fatigue, irritability, or trouble concentrating.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Reclaiming Your Thoughts and Identity <\/p>\n

Stepping away from being constantly online creates space to tune back in to yourself. \u201cWhen you\u2019re not consuming everyone else’s updates or responding to their needs, you can notice what you actually want or feel,\u201d Guimaraes says. \u201cIt sounds obvious, but it\u2019s surprising how rare this is.\u201d Over time, this practice can strengthen self-awareness and help you make choices that feel more aligned with your priorities and well-being.\n<\/p>\n

Increasing Your Self-Worth <\/p>\n

With the quiet of an invisible day, you\u2019re not only more in tune with your thoughts, but you may actually start to value them more. \u201cYou remind yourself that you still exist when no one can see you,\u201d Guimaraes says. \u201cMany of us tie our worth to how quickly we respond or how present we are for others. Taking an invisible day teaches you that you matter even when you\u2019re not available.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Villegas agrees, stating that an invisible day \u201callows you to exist in your authentic expression without judgment that you may usually expect to feel,” she says. “If you are embracing being invisible, you are free to be yourself in a way that restores your energy and sense of confidence.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Improving Your Creativity <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you spend your time in a more relaxed and supportive environment, without the usual stressors, you can tap into your creativity<\/a>,\u201d Villegas says. But you may need to tailor your activities to make the most of this benefit: \u201cAlpha brain waves arise during activities like meditation<\/a>, gentle movement, and spending time in nature.\u201d These waves support more creative thinking by allowing the brain to shift into an open, reflective state, where new ideas are more likely to arise.<\/p>\n

Ways to Make the Most of Your Invisible Day <\/p>\n

Knowing how to structure an invisible day can make the difference between simply going offline and truly feeling restored. Here are a few expert-backed strategies that can help you recharge fully.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Set Up Your Tech <\/p>\n

The first step to making an invisible day actually work is to create guardrails around your devices (going screen-free<\/a> is not easy). \u201cPut your phone on airplane mode or leave it in a drawer, and set an email auto-reply,\u201d Guimaraes says. For extra peace of mind, silence app notifications and schedule any automatic bill payments or reminders in advance so you have nothing consequential left on your plate.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Communicate Your Intentions <\/p>\n

Going invisible doesn\u2019t mean cutting yourself off without context. This wellness routine works best when the people closest to you understand what you\u2019re doing. \u201cSet yourself up for success by clearly communicating your invisible day plans to your loved ones,\u201d Villegas says. \u201cFor an invisible day to be beneficial, you need to have a sense of safety and, for many, that includes the knowledge that your loved ones support your day, and your safety plan is in place.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Try Restorative Activities <\/p>\n

Now is the time to fill your day with vitality-producing activities, and what that looks like will vary from person to person. If you\u2019re unsure of where to start, Guimaraes says to do whatever feels restful: \u201cRead, sleep<\/a>, walk, or just stare at the ceiling,” she says. “You don\u2019t have to be productive. That\u2019s the whole point.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Villegas says to simply play. \u201cIf you haven’t played on purpose<\/a> in a while, remember that these activities are not for achievement or performance,” she says. “You’ll know when you’re playing because it is fun, feels good, and you’ve shifted from the responsibility-focused, decision-making executive function part of your brain to imagination and exploring possibilities.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Move Slowly <\/p>\n

Whatever you choose to do, do it with an intentional slowness and incorporate some movement. \u201cGoing on a gentle walk<\/a> is one of the most beneficial activities you can do on an invisible day,\u201d Villegas says. \u201cIt allows your body to metabolize stress, orient to the present moment, and give your body a sense of safety through the sensory experience.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

You can also slowly dance to your favorite song<\/a>, do some easy floor stretches, spend time in the garden, or start a piece of art, all of which include gentle movement. \u201cMovement helps you in the moment and also helps you become more resilient to stress long term,” Villegas says.<\/p>\n

Who May Want to Skip an Invisible Day <\/p>\n

\u201cSome people who are experiencing burnout or depression may be more likely to have a difficult time with an invisible day,\u201d Villegas explains. \u201cThey are more likely to be in a \u2018freeze\u2019 or shutdown nervous system state, and being invisible without connection or support has the potential to exacerbate mental health symptoms.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

So how do you know if you\u2019re in a shutdown? Villegas says if you feel more resentment and sadness than clarity and lightness on this day, there may need to be changes to your daily life to support your health and wellness<\/a>. \u201cReach out to your doctor, therapist, or other care provider for help,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Feeling pulled in ten different directions by emails, texts, and lists is so common that we don\u2019t realize…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":270697,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[49,48,84,393,394],"class_list":{"0":"post-270696","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-mental-health","12":"tag-mentalhealth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=270696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270696\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/270697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=270696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=270696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=270696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}