HELLO. How do you feel? If you’re so stressed and distracted by current events (Supreme Court overturns deer case, shortage of swabs, guns, etc.) that you can’t focus on your work or stop crying, then maybe you need more than just a big glass of water and a walk.
You may need a full day of mental health. Your government may have decided it can control what you do with your body, but that doesn’t mean your boss can too.
Before reading further, let’s first understand what self-care and mental health is…
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is the practice of taking care of yourself to promote physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. It is a decision-making process that allows people to take care of their health effectively and easily, working, when necessary, in collaboration with health and social professionals.
First, understand that taking a day off to relax while your brain seems to dissolve into hot mud is neither a “luxury” nor a sign of a poor work ethic. Rest is a basic human need and will be of no use if you are not fully functional.
We understand that protocols for requesting time off vary from workplace to workplace and you may need to let your supervisor know why you are taking the day off.
Mental Health
A state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being that influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as our ability to manage stress, interact with others, and make wise decisions, is referred to as mental health.
You may be lucky enough to work with a manager who will understand if you simply tell them you’re taking a mental health day.
Don’t miss: Reasons Taking Time Off Is Essential for Your Health
If you don’t have such a manager, resist the temptation to provide a detailed explanation. Your health (mental, reproductive or otherwise) is your business and if you don’t feel well enough to go to work, that’s all you have to say.
So – and as a news consumer, I know this can be difficult – turn off the news. Disconnection. Turn off news alerts. Believe me when I tell you, there will be other people on the Internet and in the field fighting the good fight while you take a little break. Instead, go for a walk, and look. The Barefoot Countess read a novel.
Better yet, get out. Interacting with other people who are still managing to live their lives, even when it seems like the country is on the brink of collapse, can be extraordinarily healing.
It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s something you enjoy. Go to the movies, go out for a nice lunch, take a walk, whatever. Take a day to do this and give your mind a break.