Written by: Daniella Marchese
Edited by: Shruti Shaji
Mental health is becoming a topic people can talk about openly. However, there is still a stigma around it. Mental health can be greatly impacted by work. Depending on working conditions and expectations, work can cause stress in everyday life, from overworking yourself to having short deadlines to dealing with a large load of work. It is important to prioritize mental health to avoid burnout and increase productivity; companies are starting to understand this. Some jobs offer several ‘mental health’ days, where employees are encouraged to take a break from work and focus on themselves. However, many people aren’t using this opportunity to its full potential. This article will discuss the benefits of utilizing mental health days, what to do on mental health days, and what additional work should be done to ensure your mental health is being taken care of.
It is easy to get overwhelmed with work and spiral into an unproductive slump. Taking care of mental health before it gets to this point can be beneficial to both the individual and the company. According to Angela Theisen, a licensed social worker, engaging in a mental health day “can help refocus and recharge the brain and body” (2022, par. 5). Some benefits include decreasing feelings of burnout, improving attitude and resilience, reducing isolation, increasing productivity, and preventing a mental health crisis. These benefits can be seen in just taking a day’s break from work. Being able to notice when one needs a break and, with the help of the employer, having the option to take that break can be key to helping one’s mental health. Now, how do you effectively allow your mind to rest?
Although taking a day off from work may be easy, it is up to the individual to make good use of that time. If someone takes a day off but is still thinking about work the whole time, they might as well be at work because they are not resting their mind. According to Jennifer Gerlach, a licensed social worker, making a plan for the day can be very useful in ensuring the mind can relax (2023, par. 7). Planning out a trip to the bookstore or a yoga class can be helpful. Another tip for having a restful mental health day is to reach out to others for support, such as friends, family, or even a therapist. Struggling with mental health is much harder when you are alone, and it is very easy to push people away when you need them the most. That is why making time to be around people who support you is very important, and they may help you escape daily stresses. Theisen also notes that when one is utilizing an intentional mental health day, it may be beneficial to spend time outdoors; individuals should try incorporating physical activity and hobbies (2022, par. 7). Although taking a mental health day can be essential to avoid burnout, these breaks shouldn’t be the only way people take care of themselves.
Even though mental health days can help some individuals, they are not always available; companies should invest in other mental health practices instead. According to Jo Yurcaba, a mental health journalist, many of the employees who need the time off find it difficult to get this time off, due to their job not offering mental health days, which can cause a “cycle of job insecurity, worsened mental and physical health, and debt” (2023, par. 12). With many people lacking access to mental health care, having a self-care mental health day may not be effective. More people need access to mental health care, meaning their insurance companies should cover costs as well as employers putting in more effort to take care of their employees by providing mental health resources, spaces to take breaks, and encouraging positive mindsets.
Making use of mental health breaks is essential to effective working. However, more should be done to get access to these benefits to people who need them the most. The next time you take a mental health break, be sure to allow your mind to rest and release any guilt about taking a break. People are most effective when they can take care of themselves.
References:
Gerlach, J. (2023, November 25). Optimize your mental health days. Psychology Today.
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Theisen, A. (2022, October 4). Recharge with a mental health day. Mayo Clinic Health System.
with-planned-mental-health-day
Yurcaba, J. (2023, January 23). Why taking a mental health day often isn’t enough. Verywell
Mind.
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