HAVING A severe cough, fever, or body aches usually results in drinking fluids, resting, and staying home from work. If the illness isn’t with the body but the state of mind, staying home should still be the course of action.
Often, though, it isn’t. People may feel guilty about taking time off for a reason that’s not visually apparent, or the workplace may not have accommodations for what’s commonly called a mental health day.
But mental health days are important, health experts say. Without relief, a stressed person’s job performance suffers, which could lead to issues adversely affecting colleagues. Further, prolonged mental stress can lead to physical problems. Knowing when to take a mental health day is crucial to keeping a healthy mind and body. While it’s easy to ignore mental health needs, people should be aware of the potential benefits that a well-timed break will bring. Taking a mental health day or two is a wonderful way to clear the mind, health experts say.
So, when is the right time to take a mental health day? Here are 10 signposts that say “now.”
1. High anxiety/depression. If you worry excessively about work or feel growing unhappiness, a mental health day can ease those feelings.
2. Feeling overwhelmed. If you’re consumed by your job and can’t focus on anything outside the workplace, it’s wise to take time off to prevent burnout.
3. Irritability. If you’re crabby or more on edge than normal, having time alone to rest and reset can help.
4. What co-workers? The feeling of growing more distant from colleagues, even though you love your job and are fond of your fellow workers and can’t find a reason for the disconnect, is a sign that a mental health day would be wise.
5. Taking work home—figuratively. Focusing on work while “off the clock” and stressing over what you perceive needs to be done feeds anxiety, which could adversely affect your health. A mental health day can be a reminder of what taking time off for yourself is like and how it improves your outlook.
6. Feeling ill. Mental health impacts bodily health, and vice-versa. A possible reason a cold, for example, keeps reoccurring could be your body’s way of saying it needs rest. While you may not feel ill enough for a sick day, health experts say, a mental health day could be the prescription for recovery.
7. Sleepless sleep. Those with stretches of insomnia or whose sleep is often restless run the risk of developing mental health issues. Take time off, and if sleepless nights persist, those in the mental health field say a medical expert should be consulted.
8. Out-of-whack appetite. Snacking uncontrollably or frequenting fast-food places—especially when you usually eat healthy—are signs of eating because of stress instead of nutrition. A mental health day may help reset your appetite.
9. Missing motivation. There was a time when you were excited about going to work, looked forward to making accomplishments, and valued growing as an employee and a person. When you lose that motivation, that’s a sign you need to recharge by taking a mental health day.
10. Foggy focus. If you feel you lose focus easily, have trouble concentrating, and tell people you feel “out of it,” a mental health day may help clear that fog. What to do? Take a day to stay home, read a book, watch a favorite show, start a puzzle— anything to relieve your mind. Which brings us to the next step: What to do in a mental health day.
• Unplug from social media. Reach out to family.
• Enjoy the outdoors. Nature rejuvenates.
• Self-reflect. Review changes in your life. Set achievable goals.
• Be creative. Play music, garden, bake, paint—do something to engage your mind creatively.
• Get physical. Exercise, dance, or otherwise move your body. Doing so increases heart rate, improves quality of sleep, and eases gloom.
Health experts realize that taking a mental health day is easier said than done. As one expert said, “With most things, communication is key. Talk about the importance of mental health in your roles and how some time away can make you more productive, present, and healthier.”
Dennis Bova is a freelance writer and editor. ✲
