Considering a Day Off for Mental Health: Beneficial or Not?
In today's fast-paced world, it's crucial to prioritize our mental health. Amy Sullivan, PsyD, ABPP, a clinical health psychologist, suggests taking a leaf out of the airline industry's book and putting on our own oxygen masks before helping others, much like in an emergency situation.
Recognizing when you need a mental health day can be challenging, but signs to look out for include irritability, withdrawal, anxiety, detachment, cynicism, lack of motivation, exhaustion, neglecting self-care, feeling sick, and burnout. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to take a step back and focus on your well-being.
A mental health day is ideally a full 24-hours, but what constitutes self-care may vary for individuals. It could be running errands, going to yoga, meeting a friend, staying home to watch shows, going outdoors for activities like fishing or hiking, taking a bath, listening to music, working on an art project, cleaning the house, reading, going to a baseball game, sleeping in, exercising, or curling up with a book. The key is to do something that helps you relax, decompress, and take care of yourself.
Dr. Sullivan emphasizes that mental health days are essential for shutting down the sympathetic nervous system response and feeling most grounded and in control. However, if feelings of burnout persist, there may be underlying issues such as depression. In such cases, it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider.
Mental health has long been stigmatized, but it's now being recognized as equally important as physical health. Employers should be open and interested in preserving their workers and ensuring everyone's health. Regular check-ins with employees to gauge their well-being can be beneficial.
Anxiety is on the rise, and many companies are becoming proactive in understanding and addressing employee mental health needs. Depression can present differently for everyone, but a hallmark sign is loss of interest. If depression persists, it's crucial to seek professional help.
The challenge is to identify when to take action to prevent burnout and what is needed to recharge. Each person's burnout cycle and needs for recharging are unique. If work conditions are causing undue stress and open communication with the boss has not improved the situation, it might be time to consider finding another job.
The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center, underscores the importance of prioritizing protecting our own mental health. As an unidentified person stated, "It is important that we prioritize protecting our own mental health." This sentiment echoes the need for us to take care of ourselves, not just physically, but also mentally.
In conclusion, taking a mental health day is not a sign of weakness, but a step towards maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. By recognizing the signs, understanding self-care, and prioritizing our mental health, we can better navigate the challenges of modern life.
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