Mental Health Days...

Back in the day when I was working in the bustling TV research industry, every now and then I'd just need a break from it all.  I'm sure anyone reading has had those days when they just can't deal with anything or anyone.   You just want to crawl back into bed and make up for all the sleep you have been missing, then turn on the TV or some music and just veg out for the rest of the day.  That's a mental health day!  I still need them even though I don't work outside of my home.  I just need a break from it all every now and then.  I don't think it is wrong to take days like this off or put things aside that can be done at another time to kind of collect yourself, rest and regroup the next day or later that day.

With me, I have a diagnosed illness, so these mental health days are/were literal.  However, I don't think you have to have a diagnosis to take a mental health break.  Everyone out there working from home, working outside the home and even people like me - stay at-home parents need a break every now and then.  I've read and experienced first and second hand the cutback of sick days within businesses and companies.  Some only give 5 sick days, others 7 or 10, some a big fat ZERO!  Meanwhile workers in other countries get unlimited sick days and more vacation days than any American worker can think of doing something with!  There are some businesses even shut down in the early afternoon so workers can rest and be more productive later.  (I am a big believer in NAPS - they really do refresh a body!)


I know there are some American companies that are generous with sick and vacation days, but not enough.  I truly believe that if workers in this country could take more mental health days or just breaks, then I think they would be more productive, businesses would run smoother and people might actually enjoy their jobs a little more!  I know that it works for me now.  Maybe it might help those that feel the blues, S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) or mild to moderate depression, as well as other "invisible illnesses". (I'm not a doctor or scientist so I have no data to base this on, just a hunch.)

So next time you really feel run down and just can't deal, maybe a mental health day is for you!  I think we all need more of these!