Wellness Wednesday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana
How to Do a Midweek Mental Health Reset
Have you ever reached Wednesday and thought, “I just can’t do the rest of this week”?
If so, you’re not alone. Many of us carry stress into the week without a plan to reset our mental health. But what if you didn’t have to wait until Friday to feel better?
This Wellness Wednesday, we’re diving into how to create a realistic, gentle, and effective mental health reset—even in the middle of a busy week. Whether you’re a parent juggling schedules, a teen facing social pressures, or an adult navigating burnout, these strategies are for you.
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we often support clients through these very moments—helping them pause, ground, and reconnect with themselves through compassionate care and the healing presence of therapy dogs.
🐾 What Is a Mental Health Reset?
A mental health reset is a short, intentional break to help you:
Pause and breathe
Reconnect with what you need
Clear mental clutter
Gently shift your mood and energy
It’s not about perfection or productivity—it’s about checking in and giving yourself what you actually need.
🌿 Signs You May Need a Midweek Reset
You don’t need a full breakdown to justify taking care of yourself. If you notice:
Irritability or snapping at others
Trouble focusing
Feeling emotionally numb or overwhelmed
Increased anxiety or worry
Physical fatigue with no clear cause
… it may be time for a mental health reset.
🧘♀️ Step 1: Regulate Your Nervous System
Start with the body. One of the quickest ways to reset is to calm your nervous system.
Try this:
Step outside and take 5 deep breaths
Place your hand on your heart and notice your pulse
Sit with your therapy dog or pet for 5 quiet minutes
At AACI, we see how simply petting a therapy dog reduces blood pressure and brings clients into the present moment. You don’t need to “fix” everything—just begin by slowing down.
✍️ Step 2: Name What You’re Feeling
Often we’re overwhelmed because we’re trying to push past emotions rather than process them.
Take a moment and ask:
What’s bothering me right now?
Where do I feel that in my body?
What might I need?
Journaling or even voice-noting can be a great outlet. For teens and kids, using emotion charts or drawing can help get the feelings out of their heads.
📵 Step 3: Take a Technology Break
Phones are useful, but they’re also noisy and emotionally draining. Even 30 minutes off social media can give your mind a break.
Consider:
Turning on Do Not Disturb for a lunch break
Replacing scrolling with sitting outside or playing with your dog
Taking a short walk while listening to calming music or a nature soundscape
💡 Step 4: Reset Your Space
Our environments shape our energy. A quick tidy-up, lighting a candle, or adding a favorite blanket can shift your mood instantly.
Try:
Changing the lighting to something soft and cozy
Clearing off one surface that feels cluttered
Inviting your pet to curl up next to you in a calm, reset space
Your environment can become a sensory anchor for peace and clarity.
🧩 Step 5: Reset with a Routine
You don’t need to start over—just reset. Choose one thing that signals a shift:
Drinking a tall glass of water
Changing clothes
Starting a calming playlist
Lighting a favorite candle or diffuser
At AACI, we guide clients through building small rituals that create safety and predictability—especially helpful for children and teens working through emotional overwhelm.
🐶 How Therapy Dogs Support Mental Health Resets
Our therapy dogs play an essential role in helping clients reset. Their calm presence:
Models regulated breathing and energy
Offers tactile comfort through touch
Helps kids and teens feel safe to express emotions
Eases anxiety during difficult sessions
A dog’s gentle nudge or warm snuggle can say, “You’re safe. You’re not alone.” And that can change everything.
🔁 Bonus: Share the Reset with Someone Else
Emotional regulation and mental health resets don’t have to happen alone. Invite someone you care about to try one of these strategies with you—whether it’s your child, partner, or even a co-worker.
Shared regulation = deeper connection.
🎯 Wellness Wednesday Task:
Choose one thing from today’s blog and try it out. Set a 10-minute timer and give yourself space to reset. Afterwards, notice how your body, thoughts, or energy has shifted—even slightly.
💬 Gentle Support When You’re Ready
If you’ve been feeling stuck, anxious, or emotionally drained, we want you to know: support is here. At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, our clinicians offer compassionate therapy grounded in emotional safety—and often co-led by our incredible therapy dogs.
We help adults, teens, and families find balance again.
📍 Located in Munster, Indiana
📞 Ready to reset? Contact us to get started