When Are Mental Health Days a Thing?
When are mental health days a thing? Managing stress, dealing with a mental health condition, and reducing absenteeism and presenteeism are just a few of the topics that are covered in this article. Recreation is also an appropriate way to spend a mental health day.
Recreation is an appropriate way to spend a mental health day
One of the best ways to improve your mental well-being is to schedule some time for recreation. While a lot of us tend to slog through our daily routines without pausing to pause, taking some time for the almighty brain boosting activities can go a long way. It can even be a way to build some form of consistency into your daily routine.
Recreational activities range from the high brow to the lowly and can be as simple as a picnic or as complex as a full fledged competition. Adding a little recreational fun into the mix can be a win-win for all involved. Not only does it acquaint you with the world around you, it also offers you the opportunity to do something that doesn’t require a lot of energy.
Managing stress
Stress can be harmful to both physical and mental health. It can also make existing problems worse. But there are ways to handle stress and improve your health.
First, you should identify your stressors. Often, these are predictable, so you can take steps to change the way you react to them.
The next step is to work on your coping skills. This includes limiting caffeine intake, getting enough sleep, and avoiding substance abuse.
You should also seek support from friends and family. If your problem seems unmanageable, you might want to talk to a psychologist or health professional.
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to set goals. By doing this, you can work on improving your mood and making sure that you have time to relax and enjoy yourself.
Dealing with a mental health condition
The fact is, not everyone has their cake and eats it. Dealing with a mental health condition is a whole other ballgame. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to help you along the way. One such resource is the McLean Hospital. Some of the perks of being a resident include free health insurance, access to a wide range of specialty services, and a well-educated staff. You might be surprised to learn that they have one of the highest rates of recovery in the nation. Using a mental health care provider can be daunting, but the benefits are well worth it.
Reducing absenteeism and presenteeism
Presenteeism and absenteeism cost US companies more than $225.8 billion per year. That’s almost one-fourth of the economy’s total annual GDP. Taking care of employees’ mental and physical health can help reduce both types of absenteeism.
Many studies have shown that presenteeism is often associated with a number of common psychological disorders, such as depression. Employees with depression are more likely to call in sick to work than those without. This may be linked to chronic stress, which has been linked to increased risk of illness.
Presenteeism is a difficult problem to address because it can be hard to identify. In addition, it can be tricky for managers to determine whether an employee is suffering from an actual medical issue.
One approach is to establish an open door policy wherein managers are encouraged to discuss employee concerns. By reassuring employees that they are welcome to voice concerns, employers can combat both absenteeism and presenteeism.
Letting your employer know you need a mental health day
If you are struggling with stress and anxiety at work, consider taking a mental health day. This is a great way to recharge your batteries, reset your brain and improve your overall happiness. It’s also an important step to burnout prevention.
Before you ask your boss for a mental health day, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re using the appropriate etiquette. While most employers are understanding and supportive of this kind of request, they may not be on board. For example, you may not be allowed to take a mental health day if you have an hourly job, or your job might have a strict no sick days policy.
Some companies have even gone so far as to adopt a mental health day, and you’ll need to make sure you follow the rules to reap the benefits.
