What is a mental health day?
Have you ever taken a mental health day?
Do you need a mental health day?
Do you even know what a mental health day is?
Beyond Blue reports that more than three million Australians suffer from anxiety and depression, and one in eight Australians is currently experiencing high psychological stress, so mental health doesn’t just affect a small number of people; it affects a large portion of Australia’s population. Our population at writing this is just over twenty-six million.
A mental health day
Finally, the world realises just how important it is to look after your mental health.
Just as we try to look after our physical health, we also need to look after our brain's (mental) health.
Many studies have shown that a decrease in mental wellbeing can lead to reduced productivity in the workplace.
So taking a day to yourself can benefit yourself and your workplace too.
When you take a day:
- Relax and watch a movie or three
- Go for a walk at the beach
- Clean the house (if you are so inclined)
- Do whatever you need to recharge your batteries and be ready to take on the world again.
Asking your boss
Many employers are incredibly considerate when it comes to mental health days. The human resources department has a great understanding and is part of your work culture. This makes it very easy to ask for a day to yourself and to explain what you will be doing to look after yourself.
Other employers are not so understanding, so you need to ask for the day in a way that works for your employment.
In Australia, most full-time employees are entitled to 8 days of paid sick leave per year, which is part of your mental health day allowance. However, some companies are changing this. In a recent article, I read about a company offering unlimited days without a doctor's certificate. As a result, their staff’s use of sick days has been reduced.
When you are self-employed
While taking a mental health day when you are self-employed may seem more straightforward, it can also be more challenging.
As a self-employed person, you don’t always earn money when you are not working. You have clients that are depending on you, and this can lead to feelings of guilt when you try to take time to yourself.
So, taking a mental health day when you are self-employed is just as important, if not more important. If you can, it can be wise to schedule them in advance and regularly to avoid any guilt.
Reasons to take a mental health day.
- Just as you would take time out for a physical ailment, if your mind is ailing, it also needs time to recover.
- When your mind is not doing well, it can affect all aspects of your life, particularly your work.
- To hit the breaks — sometimes we need to hit the breaks. This reset in our lives can make all the difference and replenish how we are feeling.
- Avoid burning out — We have all felt that we are reaching burnout. To avoid burnout, we need to give ourselves the care and support we need mentally and physically.
- Being stressed and overwhelmed can leave us vulnerable to physical and mental harm. For example, you can get hurt if you work in a dangerous job and are not concentrating. Or, if you are less productive due to your mental health, you can risk losing your job.
Things you can do on your mental health day or any given day of the week
- You time — this may be spending the day in bed binge-watching a series or a lineup of movies. It may be meditation or yoga. Perhaps a long bath and a great book are on the menu.
- Practice gratitude — this can be one of those things you think is a waste of time; However, it can be very powerful. It is not just being thankful for good health or good food. For example, as a daily practice, you can write down what went well for you today. This is also a good practice for your children, don’t ask how their day was; ask what went well today or what they are proud of today.
- Self gratitude — What are some positive thoughts you can say to yourself today. Remind yourself why you are a good person, a good friend, and a good partner.
- Exercise — While this may not be for everyone (me included), it benefits many. All sorts of research shows how it increases your happy hormone levels.
- Early birds — People who are up early statistically have fewer mental health issues than those of us who are night owls and prefer to sleep in. The early bird does get the worm.
- Nutrition — How is your food? There is a gut/brain connection, and lousy nutrition can affect your mental wellbeing. Eating well can mean feeling well, or an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- Journal — Journaling can help alleviate the content flowing in your mind. Writing down your worries can reduce their size, and you don’t have to continue carrying them around your head.
- Try being social — Many of us can benefit from hanging out with people. Whether it is one or many people, spend time with people who make you feel good.
- Break up the routine — While having a routine can be great, not having one can be even greater. Do something out of the box and break up the monotony of the daily routine. This is why a mental health day can be so successful.
- Seek help — If you are feeling very sad and unable to break the feeling for at least two weeks, seek some help. There is no shame in asking for help, just as you would go to the doctor if you had a sore knee that wasn't getting better. Professionals can help you in a wide range of ways.
So when are you taking your next mental health day or trying to make it part of your day-to-day living?
What does a mental health day mean to you?
Note that this article is an opinion piece, and it is not a substitute for getting professional help.
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Thanks, Kelly
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