We Should Never Be Afraid To Take A Mental Health Day

We Should Never Be Afraid To Take A Mental Health Day

Recently my wife told me that she was going to take a day for herself to go hiking with a close friend in Sedona. As she was walking out the door, leaving me all alone at home with our toddler, 9 year old, and 11 year old, she jokingly referred to it as a “mental health day.” With all that she does keeping our lives together, I certainly supported her desire to have some time for herself.

 

All jokes aside, the concept of a mental health day is something that speaks to me very clearly. Unfortunately in our society we don't often discuss mental health, there is a definitive stigma attached. It is common place to take time off for one’s physical ailments, however mental health is not something that is commonly seen as a reason to take time away from work and other responsibilities. As I write this blog, I can tell you that I have had three friends in the past three years commit suicide and therefore I have been personally touched by the burden of mental health in our society and wanted to bring it back to the forefront.

 

Here are four potential benefits of taking a day off for one’s mental health:

1. Rest and relaxation - OK so this one goes without saying. When we are chronically overworked and fatigued we need time to recharge our batteries. A day off to focus on mental health could be simply a day of sleeping in a bit later, or perhaps meditating, practicing yoga, or other activities that one feels to be rejuvenating.

2. Destress- It has been well demonstrated that chronic stress is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore it is very important to find time to focus on activities that allow one to relieve chronic stress. Those types of activities may differ based on the individual, however a nice jog or a hike, or even tai chi could be activities that one might pursue to relieve stress.

3. Future planning- A mental health day could be used as a day to take inventory of one’s current situation and try to think through options for the future. It’s often difficult to plan for the future without having a clear sense of one’s priorities. Given this time people might find themselves asking, “How important is this job to me?” “Could I be happier doing something else?” “In keeping this job, am I compromising my own health and happiness?”

4. Time to connect with others- As human beings we are social by nature. There are many studies that have demonstrated the importance of social support with regards to mental health. A mental health day could be a day to connect with a mental health professional, a close friend, or colleague. Sometimes the strength and clarity that comes from connecting with another individual can make all the difference in the world.

 

In summary 30 to 50% of all adults in the United States experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Among employed adults anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders are the most common mental health problems. It’s time we start talking more about mental health and removing the stigma that is commonly attached. Taking a day for mental health may be a good place to start, however we need to go even further.... we should prioritize our own mental health every day! I would love to hear from you what you do to prioritize your mental health.