4 Signs You Need to Take a Mental Health Day ASAP

If you’re working and haven’t made it a point to take a mental health day, you probably could use one. Your mental health is an integral part of your overall well-being, and if you’re feeling stressed and anxious because you put in long hours, taking a break could be just what you need to re-energize.

Here are some signs you might need a mental health day:

1. You can’t sleep.

As a self-proclaimed workaholic, I understand not being able to turn off when I hit the pillow. If you struggle night after night not being able to stop yourself from making to-do lists for the next day or taking an inventory of things that happened during the day, you should probably take a day to yourself.

2. You feel isolated.

Our connection to work is important. Being able to get the job done and be fulfilled professionally can give you an immense satisfaction, but it’s not the most important thing in life. If your work life is spilling over a little too much into your personal life, you should take a day to reconnect to loved ones or make an effort in a hobby you’ve put on the back burner.

3. You feel scattered.

When you come into work, the best thing you can do is stay on task and get as much of your work done as possible. If when you come into work, you feel overwhelmed with tasks and can’t concentrate, you might need some time to just unwind and refocus. A mental health day would allow you to recenter yourself and get organized so you can hit the ground running when you get back to the office.

4. You’re sick more often.

Everyone has an illness here and there that prevents them from getting into work. If you’re getting sick more often than not, it might be time for you to settle down and take a break. When we’re stressed or sleep-deprived, our bodies become more susceptible to illnesses, and taking a break can help you catch up on some needed sleep.

Whatever your reasonings for taking the mental health day, there’s no denying that having a little time for yourself will allow you to feel more in control with your emotions.

How you spend your mental health day off is entirely up to you. Some may not get much done, staying inside the whole day, while other people may take advantage of having some free time during the work day and complete errands they’ve been hoping to get done. The point of these days is to have a solid block of time when no one is expecting anything from you, and you’re able to spend the day doing anything you want.

If your mental health day doesn’t help alleviate your stress and anxiety, it could be that you need more  help in dealing with the underlying causes of these feelings.