How to Take a Mental Health Day Without Feeling Guilty

Have you ever taken a mental health day off from your work and then felt guilty?

You can take a mental health day off from work without experiencing guilt. Here's how.

If you are the type of person that is a hard worker, and normally goes above and beyond the call of duty, sometimes you need to treat yourself to a mental health day. This is also true if you typically work beyond the 40-hour work week and are the type of employee to take work home. All of that hard work and diligence will take its toll eventually, without some spontaneous R&R for your mind.

A mental health day is not the type of day off that employers recognize or encourage. If you're reading this at work, that's probably not the best idea. Employers may provide you instead withvacation days, holidays, personal days, sick days, or even family sick days. Some employers combine one or more categories of days off, like sick/personal days. Employers don't offer mental health days.

Because employers don't offer mental health days, it is up to you to take the initiative and give yourself a mental health day.

What is a Mental Health Day?

A mental health day is an unscheduled day off from work that involves doing something you enjoy doing, alone or with family and friends.

A mental health day does not include doing any errands, going to the doctor's office, or cleaning the house.

Sometimes the only way to get some time for yourself, away from the office, and away from the demands of your household, is to disappear for a few hours, doing whatever it is you love best.

The activity you choose should be one that is fairly close to home, is not near work, and will renew you in some way. It could be going to see a movie or two by yourself. Or maybe you want to spend the day window shopping, or shopping, at your favorite mall. Your mental health day could be a trip to the local greenhouse, museum, or bookstore. It could be a half day at the salon, or getting a massage.

The mental health day can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it refreshes your mind.

Why You Need a Mental Health Day

You need a mental healthy day if you are otherwise a hard worker, slackers don't need to take them.

You may need a mental health day when you are feeling mentally worn down and stressed out at work. Taking a mental health day is also a way to have a couple of hours when nobody is demanding something from you. Your day is your own, which for some, is a rare treat.

To make your day your own, you first need to call in. By calling in and not scheduling a day off ahead of time, you will not be using your vacation time YOu might not want to use our actual vacation days up one at a time. If you have personal or sick days, why not use them?

Each employer has their own rules regarding how employees may use their time. Those rules do not always make sense. It is up to you, the employee, to use those days in the way that makes the most sense to your lifestyle.

If you are not prone to getting sick, and are allowed a certain number of sick days, why not take advantage of that and use them up?

A mental health day is also a good way to get perspective on your current job situation. Are you tired of the job because you're just tired and stressed, or because you need to move up or on? Taking a time out, even if it is just one day can help you put your job in perspective.

Taking a mental health day is a gift you give yourself.