Mental Health Days – How Many Mental Health Days Can You Take?
Many people struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. They may need to take time off work or seek professional support to feel better.
Some employers offer mental health days in sick time or as a paid option. While these benefits are good, it’s important to remember that mental health is a serious issue and not something to be taken lightly.
1. Take a day off from work.
Mental health days are not as common as taking time off for physical illness, but the practice is essential to protect both you and your employer. Depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders can interfere with work performance and productivity, as well as increase the likelihood of workplace injuries.
A healthy and respectful workplace makes every effort to support staff members who are experiencing emotional or mental stress. But even a workplace that prioritizes mental health can’t prevent employees from feeling overwhelmed and stressed, or from needing a break for self-care.
Taking a mental health day can help employees feel refreshed, recharged and ready to go back to work. Employers can show support by adopting a no-questions-asked policy for taking mental health days.
2. Get a massage.
If you’ve been battling stress at work, it may be time for a mental health day. Taking a mental health day gives you the chance to recharge and rejuvenate.
If your stress level is chronic, it can lead to a host of serious ailments including cancer, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.
Massages have been shown to decrease cortisol, an important stress hormone that can lead to anxiety and depression. They also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that stabilize mood.
Getting a massage is also a great way to boost your immune system. Regular massages help to increase the body’s white blood cells, which are a major part of fighting off viruses.
3. Take a walk.
Getting out and walking regularly is an excellent way to boost both physical and mental health. Not only can it help reduce stress, increase your energy, and improve your mood, but it also offers many other benefits such as a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, walking can be an especially useful tool to help you cope with these emotions. It is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, which can give you a sense of calm and euphoria.
Getting out into nature also helps lower rumination, the negative thoughts that are often associated with mental illness. A recent study found that people who walked in a green space reported significantly reduced rumination after their walk than those who walked through an urban environment.
4. Do something you enjoy.
One of the best ways to recharge and rejuvenate is to do something you enjoy. You can do this by going to a funny movie, enjoying a walk on the beach, listening to music or reading a good book.
You may also want to do something creative like drawing, painting, writing or knitting. This will help you to unplug from the stresses of your job and other responsibilities and will allow you to reconnect with yourself and with your creativity.
It’s important to remember that everyone should take mental health days occasionally. Whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety or stress, you can benefit from taking time away from your responsibilities to care for yourself.
5. Spend time with your family.
If you’re looking to bolster your mental health, spending time with your family can be a great way to do so. It’s a proven fact that families create a sense of belonging, enabling everyone to feel supported and cared for.
It also releases good hormones that decrease stress and tension in the body, allowing people to heal from everyday challenges.
Having an open and honest conversation with your children about their feelings can help you figure out when they need to take a mental health day off from school.
If you’re not sure, a quick check with your child’s teacher can be a helpful way to find out how they’re feeling and whether a day off from school would be the best option for them right now. Taking a day off for their mental health can make them calmer, more confident and ready to return to school the next day.
