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Every now and then, it can be good therapy to take a day just for yourself.

When used effectively, this day can significantly reduce stress and also help you reassess what's happening in your life.

You will be more likely to think of creative ideas and solutions once you have removed yourself from the obligations and demands of your everyday life.

Other benefits can include creating thinking space to better see things in perspective and with clarity, regrouping yourself, identifying and prioritising your own needs, and a renewed energy level.

If you choose to take your wellbeing day with a significant other, the same benefits can apply, with the added opportunity to discuss your thoughts and to connect with that person in a meaningful way.

The following tips will help you plan your wellbeing day:

• Prioritise this time for yourself as important and worthwhile

• Plan ahead and inform others who need to know. Ensure there are no other commitments so that you can focus on getting the most out of the day

• Take some time prior to decide how you will use your day, e.g. exercise, do a course, time with a loved one, something you've never tried before, attending an event

• If you would like to have your wellbeing day at home, organise to have space to yourself by negotiating with family

• Having fun is a great wellbeing booster. Plan a fun day doing something you'd love to do and don't do enough, or something you've always wanted to try. Taking a friend to try something different is energising and uplifting. Alternatively, your fun day might involve indulging in your favourite hobby or a social event

• Use your wellbeing day for self-development: e.g. learn how to better deal with stress, how to assert yourself, or how to better communicate

• Change your environment. A change of scenery has a beneficial effect on our perspective, optimism and creativity. You can take the experience back into your daily life

• If one day is not quite enough, consider planning a staycation to add an extra day for sustained benefit

• Don't leave it until you've hit crisis-point to take a wellbeing day. Ideally these days are meant to lessen the risk of chronic stress, burnout or depression occurring