Taking a Mental Health Day
It is easy to get caught up working and falling into a routine, so sometimes we forget about our own well-being. Taking time off work can seem counterproductive when you are already stressed about work, money, and providing for yourself or your family. You could also be worried about what your boss will think about using a sick day or time off for a mental health day.
If we are not physically sick, we tend to feel guilt when we take time off. Luckily, the stigma for mental health is starting to be broken, and these types of days are more widely accepted. In a perfect world, you SHOULD be able to simply tell your boss, “I need a mental health day” and they will understand. However, this is not always realistic. If you feel that your boss will not understand, just tell them you are taking the day off for “personal reasons.”
Be mindful when using mental health days. The rule of thumb is more or less 3 per year. They are meant to be used when absolutely necessary, not just when you want an excuse not to go to work. Also, if you have a big project going on at work that is time sensitive, try not to leave your boss and coworkers in the dust. As soon as it is over, you can take some time for yourself.
When to Take Mental Health Days:
Your mind is starting to affect your work
You are lashing out at the people around you
Daily strain is starting to show in all of your other activities
When NOT to Take Mental Health Days:
You just do not feel like going to work
You are in the middle of a big project
If you have been taking many over the past few months (there may be a bigger issue than just feeling burnt out from work)
You should not have to feel guilty for wanting time to recover from the mundane tasks of everyday life. We have all been pushed to our limits, and grateful when relief came. Do not forget to think of yourself every now and then, because the better shape you are in, the better you can take care of everyone else around you.