Taking a day off of work or school for “mental health reasons” is a popular trend these days.
Is it OK to take a “mental health” day?
We have a rule in my house: unless you have a fever, you go to school. My kids never ask me to stay home from school unless they are sick, so I was surprised when my 16-year-old daughter recently asked me if she could take a “mental health day” off. She was even more surprised when I said “yes.”
I knew she had been working hard with a heavy course load. AP classes can be stressful! I also know it is sometimes better to step away for a day and relax so you can be more productive in the days following. This is true for kids, teens and adults.
Many of us will not request a day off from work unless we are actually taking a vacation, but taking a day to ourselves is not only OK, it is a critical part of self-care. Sometimes, just taking a single day off to do something for ourselves can help prevent stress and burnout. How you choose to spend the day will really depend on what you need most.
If your body just feels exhausted from being on the go all the time or from physical labor, it will tell you to rest. If that means sleeping in, watching TV and doing nothing all day, it is OK as long as this is not something you do every day.
Other times, you may feel the need to get out of your normal work routine and just go have some fun. I have a friend who likes to spend her days off at Disney by herself. Some other things you might find relaxing include taking a nature hike, visiting a museum, taking a yoga class or maybe curling up with a good book. Tackling some items on your own personal to-do list might also be on your agenda for your rest day.
It always makes me feel better to get things accomplished at home that I am otherwise not able to do during the work week.
You can schedule mental health or rest days in advance, but they do not have to be planned out. Some people feel less stressed when they request a day off ahead of time, but if you wake up feeling so overwhelmed and stressed that it can affect your ability to function at work, it is better to call in and just focus on yourself.
How often should you take a mental health day? One or two days every three or four months might be enough, especially if you remember to also work some relaxation like exercise or listening to music into your daily routine. If you need more time to de-stress, do not hesitate to make your mental health a priority.
Angela Fulgieri is a Program Director for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Write her at observerfitness@gmail.com.
