Man Who Bought Netflix at $7.78 Says Buy This Now. Instead, Brennan recommends, when asking for a mental health day, to say, “I am requesting a day off to improve my wellbeing and reduce my stress level” to open the lines of communication. “I would recommend first checking in with yourself to identify the feeling and how it’s currently impacting you mentally,” says Brennan. Renita Gray-Taylor surprised her family when she presented invitations to her college graduation, the very same ceremony as her son, Anthony Taylor. That’s why we asked the experts for their real world advice to help us persuade our bosses to let us have a mental health day. If a full day is not an option, try a half day or an adjusted workday schedule. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Resting, reading, walking, exercising, seeing a trusted friend or family member, doing something for yourself like lying in a bath or having a massage are all worthy ways to spend a mental health day, according to the psychologist. “The way you approach requesting one may be different depending on your workplace culture, but your request can always be brief and general. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Tell your family not to call you on your … Even if this might occur, it’s important to put our health first. Consider this your guide to taking a mental health day, including expert-backed tips on when to take a personal day and what to do during your mental health day off. “Then ask yourself, Would taking time away from my work help to improve my mental wellbeing and help to increase my productivity? Sometimes taking a mental health day—a day off that's specifically geared toward stress relief and burnout prevention—is the best thing you can do for yourself. Plan what you’re going to say before you say it. Order fast if you want festive feet by the 24th! Let’s be honest: It can be nerve-racking to ask for a mental health day from work. Often, if you do just need a day away from work, you most likely resort to telling your employer you're experiencing physical symptoms rather than mental. "On December 21st, if you look up towards the west just after sunset, what you should see is Jupiter and Saturn getting closer to one another than they've been in anyone on this planet's lifetime," says astrophysicist Jackie Faherty. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. A manager who’s less educated about mental health may interpret the request as “I need a day off from work before I lose it,” she says. How do I survive the holidays after a break up? While this situation will most likely not happen since a lot of workplaces are becoming more understanding about the importance of mental health, a few superiors might not be able to accept the request for whatever reason. Experts explain why. Looking for a real relationship? To put it plainly, our mental health is just as important as our physical health. The definitive guide to speaking up about the unspeakable and seeking help during a mental health crisis. Would a day off be helpful? When we have something like the flu, we take sick days to bring our physical body up to 100%, Wilding says. How to Ask for a Mental Health Day. Your approach to asking for a mental health day will depend on your workplace culture. That should allow you to save up time off, with the added benefit of not interfering with deadlines. We need to normalize the need for ‘mental health days’ and allow them [to] have equal importance with days where we are not feeling well physically,” says Brennan. If this situation does arise, Flaxington says it might be a good idea to inquire about the decision. “Remind them you enjoy your work (assuming you do!) Log 10 minutes of walking (you can also do walking meditation) on your favorite fitness tracker. When you check in with yourself first and inquire about your mental health, you’ll have a bigger grasp of your state of mind, which you can articulate to your superior when you decide to bring it up. More than 3,000 Americans die from COVID-19 every day, surpassing the daily mortality rates for heart disease and cancer. “Insight Timer” is a great meditation app - and you can log your time. “It’s really important that we don’t let intentional misinformation and disinformation distract people from what we know,” Yahoo Life medical contributor Dara Kass says. Not every workplace or boss is going to be receptive to you saying, “I’m burnt out and need a mental health day.” In others, that statement would lead to raised eyebrows. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you and gather all the information you may need to prep your time off. and you just want a chance to refresh and recharge and then jump back into what’s needed.”. Your approach to asking for a mental health day will depend on your workplace culture. Amazon shoppers are scooping up these AccuMed face masks—they're just $26 for 10, Everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines. Powecom is one of the only KN95 mask brands recommended by the FDA. But how exactly can we begin to discuss the topic of our mental health with our employer? 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Talk to your school counselor. “If you enjoy having a massage, reading a book, watching a movie, then do those things. Let’s be honest: It can be nerve-racking to ask for a mental health day off from work. Lizzo's smoothie detox sparked fierce backlash in the body positive community. If the answer is yes, then think about how you would approach the time off. Practicing self-care is important. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to taking a mental health day is giving yourself permission to do it. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. But remember you, as an employee, have the right to use your PTO, sick paid days, or FMLA to take a break. Subscribe. How do I ask for mental health day? Many times, as an employee, we feel as though we need to provide a thorough explanation for our absence [when this isn’t the case].” At the end of the day, it’s important for you to be honest about your mental health with your superior. In some offices, saying “I’m feeling burnt out and need to take a sick day to tend to my mental health” is perfectly acceptable. While your work crew might not fully understand why you need to take time off from work, licensed mental health counselor Diane Brennan says it’s important to take a mental health day when you know you need it. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The beverage company apologized for an ad campaign that suggested alcohol was a form of escape for stressed out parents. Ask as soon as you can, and go in solving problems in advance. Instead, Brennan recommends, when asking for a mental health day, to say, “I am requesting a day off to improve my wellbeing and reduce my stress level” to open the lines of communication. While one day might not solve heavy underlying problems that lead to burnout , a mental health day can provide a much-needed break to pause, regroup, and come back with greater levels of energy and a fresh, less-stressed perspective. When we step away from our work, it provides an opportunity to regain our footing, center ourselves and recharge our energy,” Brennan tells HelloGiggles. Give Yourself Permission. Workers sometimes say that they feel guilty or lazy when taking a day off if they are not “really” sick. Celebrities like Paulina Porizkova have used social media to normalize mental health struggles. Sometimes you just need some time off. 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