I had 2 personal days left for the school year. If we don’t use them, we lose them. Yes…personal days are supposed to be used for emergencies or for things that cannot be done after school hours. I felt that I needed a day off and that I wanted to use the personal days because they are a benefit we are given. I didn’t have any emergency or anything special planned. Is it wrong to take a mental health day?
Sometimes you just need a day to yourself that you can do things you need to do or maybe even do nothing. Not having to be at a specific place at a specific time for a specific length of time is a breath of free air and minimizes any stress that may be present. It is especially helpful to your psyche when your supervisor does not show any support or appreciation for staff members AND you know that there is so much to accomplish in the next four weeks.
I don’t see it as escaping reality or trying to shirk responsibility. I feel that the time to rest and recharge actually makes you more able to handle situations and be present when at your job. Sometimes your brain just needs time to not think about problem solving and just take a break. Added bonus…I got to spend time with my dog, watch my (2nd) favorite golfer, AND drive my son ( #1 favorite golfer) to the golf course. All things I couldn’t do if I was at work.
What do you think of mental health days…heck yeah or no never??
I always use all my personal days prior to taking vacation/sick days as you don’t get to keep them if you change jobs. I use them to extend my weekend!
Same here…if I don’t use them, I lose them so…use away!!!
Definitely a heck yeah. As a counselor in training, my job is to advocate of mental health! I definitely think that we need to put mental heath more as a priority and speak more open conversations about it. And I think you DESERVE to have a day off just to recharge!!!! Love what you’re doing.
Thanks for your kind words Chelsea:) You are doing a very important job as a counselor.
I think mental health days are super important!! Glad you had a good one!!
Thanks Angela:)
Mental health days are so important! I love taking them.
Tori
http://www.mooretori.com
The votes are definitely in favor of “heck yeah”
I say absolutely yes! We all need to rest our bodies and mind. These are fast paced times and technology is both a curse and a blessing. Learning to relax and take a break is just as important – if not more- than work discipline and organization!
Thank you Christine…love your positive words
we live in a society that puts so much emphasis on DOING, we forget to just be! having a day off just to recharge is super important! <3
LOVE your kinds words…so true
I love your dog! He’s so cute! I need a mental health day soon!
Thanks Mary…I love him too.
I’m a firm believer in mental health days. If I have the vacation days to use, it’s my time to use it as I see fit and need and honestly, who doesn’t need a day once in a blue moon to simply…be?
Totally agree Courtney….thanks:)
Great post. I am a firm believer in having alone time daily to help with mental health.
Absolutely Melissa
This was a great use of a personal day. Sometimes we all need time to just decompress from the everyday things and either do nothing or something that takes us away. I love it!
Well said:)
I think mental health days are hugely important. Unfortunately at my job I don’t get much vacation/personal time so I never have any leftover for a mental health day.
That stinks that you don’t have extra days….my husband has that issue with his job too
I find mental health days a must. I took them rarely, but sometimes you need that reboot a day off can give you. And, they’re yours so who cares if there’s no emergency and you just decided to take the day off?
Totally agree Maryanne
I’m totally for them! I wish we had mental health days!
I think they should be added to benefit packages everywhere!!
I think mental health days are really important. I usually let my kids take a couple during the school year too.
I think that they are beneficial to everyone
My mother in law and her best friend take a mental health day one Friday each month. They go into work in the morning to check on emails and voicemails and then are out by 10 or 11 to relax at the beach or get out of town for the weekend. As someone who has depression and anxiety, I too make sure I take those days off when needed as well. Otherwise, I become very overwhelmed, emotional and exhausted. Mental health days are so important.
I totally agree Keating…we need to take care of ourselves first so that we are able to take care of others
I love mental health days. I think that this should be part of employee benefits by itself. Don’t ever feel guilty about caring for yourself.
I agree wholeheartedly!!