Taking Mental Health Days
I took the day off work yesterday.
I had a total of 8 hours PTO accrued.
So, obviously, I used every last one of them.
Even if I didn’t have the time accrued, I would have happily taken the day off – without pay – to get out of the office. I needed some time away from our frigid cold building. Outside in the sunshine. Before winter takes over and I’m curled up inside all day long.
I needed the time to be productive with life things.
And I needed the time to do some fun things.
For the past few months, I wasn’t able to justify taking the time off work if it wasn’t for a family vacation. Or if I wasn’t stuck in bed, sick and snotty. After all, I’m done with work at 4:30 every day. And I don’t bring any work home with me anymore. So the hours between clocking out at work and bedtime are mine to do absolutely anything I want with. Whether that be “productive life things” or “fun things.”
But even though I’m sitting around all day at work, feeling under-stimulated and under-utilized, I feel a sense of exhaustion when I get home.
Can you be mentally drained when you’re not using your brain all that much?
I just needed yesterday. A day playing hooky.
There’s something about starting a brand new day with a fresh mind (and a nice big cuppa coffee from Starbucks). My mind doesn’t think clearly after 8 hours of copying and pasting in Excel spreadsheets. It’s like the mindlessness of my days bleeds into my evenings.
I am so grateful for my job.
And I love the people I work with a whole lot.
But I need more projects and more purpose in my day. I started this wellness initiative at work and that is honestly bringing me so much joy.
I just feel like I need more.
So, having days like yesterday where I can step away from it all and think clearly was a really helpful step in figuring out this LIFE thing.
And the best part about taking off on a Thursday…
…is that it’s ALREADY (almost) the weekend!
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend!
Questions of the Day:
- Do you take “mental health” days or reserve your days off for obligations or sickness?
- If you took the day off work today, what would you be doing?
Glad you got the time off you needed! Sometimes a day off midweek is exactly what the soul needs. Hope you have a great weekend.
I needed this today. Felt like I was reading about my own life… no more work coming home, feeling under-stimulated and under-utilized, in a cold building while the last bits of sunshine are teasing me from outside.
It’s amazing how adding some variety and creativity to our days can make a huge difference! I feel super energized whenever I get to change things up a bit.
I couldnt agree with all of this more! I love taking personal days thats one of the perks I do what I do!
YES! So important to take a day to just rest our minds. I don’t think enough people do it and it’s so necessary! I hope you’re feeling more refreshed and ready to tackle things again!
I was just talking with some friends the other day about how being a SAHM is so mentally draining because we don’t use enough brain power! I mean, I can only read the same book so many times in a day before I snap. And most of the chores we are tasked with don’t take much brain power either. I can totally relate! I wish moms had mental health days!
I took a mental health day last week and oh. my. goodness. My body and my mind was so refreshed, even though I took a day off in the middle of the week.
Good for you! Recognizing what you need is one thing, giving yourself that gift another all together. Well done!!
Good for you! Sometimes it’s so important to take a mental health day and thankfully people are starting to realize that more often. Hope it was a good one!
I am so grateful that I work in a flexible environment. I take one day a week for mental health! Great post!
Taking the afternoon today!
I’m part time so if i’m off, I don’t get paid. However, I totally agree with taking mental health days! I think they are needed and really important so good for you! That’s great you were able to get paid for the day too though. Always a nice plus!
I’m like you – I like my job and I’m thankful for it, and the people that I work with, but I don’t feel like I use my brain a lot or do enough so I’m exhausted at the end of the day.
-Lauren
Yesssss! We all need those days! You definitely aren’t alone!
Oh my God, I totally feel you on the under stimulated and under utilized thing- luckily my boss just gave me a little project to make a logo in photoshop for our fundraiser because I am taking graphic design classes, so that was really cool to do that!! And gives me something to do when I am not as busy (which is a lot of the time.) I was just talking about this with my mom last night actually- we are both huge introverts and need A LOT of free time just to ourselves and how we get overwhelmed with the idea of “balancing” everything.
Oh yes, you can totally be exhausted from doing nothing… I have days like that and feel more awful when I get home than on really busy days. Riddle me that, Batman!
So glad you took a day for yourself! It’s always worth it.
I took a day off too, I haven’t had many since August. I found myself with an accidental full time (but am still hired as “part time), 1 more part time and a now struggling freelance business because of the accidental full time. I am stressed to the max, so I took the weekend off, from everything. It’s needed sometimes to refocus.
I’m all for mental health days! Sometimes you just need a break.
I need to do this. It is such a necessity!
As a stay at home mom turned blogger turned business owner, I can completely related to being under stimulated yet exhausted. Some things (like motherhood) are not necessarily mentally stimulating but rather mentally draining! Starting my blog has really helped me feel more stimulated and engaged in life. This is a great read, thank you for sharing!!
Good for you! I feel like *not* using your brain as you could can definitely make you feel more tired! I never have one single hour of PTO left, and that’s just fine with me. After all, what is it for? Hope you enjoyed your time away!
I couldn’t agree more, sometimes you just need an extra day to really recharge. I tend to think this with even having vacations, you need them.
Agreed! Sometimes the random break is just beyond refreshing!
So glad you were able to take the time off! It is so important to find time for yourself. Thank you for the reminder!
I am glad you took Thursday off to rejuvenate.
I like to take every other day off to refresh my brain. hehehe.
xoxo
Mental health days are so very important!! I try to take one a month if I can swing it! I love my job but it’s so important to take time for yourself and do something you love!!
Such a great read, sometimes we just need a day to get our brain back in the right state. I think it’s 100% OK to play hooky from time to time 🙂 Thanks for sharing girl! xo, Brittany | http://www.theblistblog.com
I agree completely. I am a huge fan of mental health days to get you back in the rhythm. This is so important to avoid burnout for sure.
Yes! Although, I can’t take days off from my current job of momming, when I worked a 9-5 job I definitely took mental health days and could see a difference!
Recognizing and focusing on the elements that bring us joy and gratitude is a powerful antidote to the negativity we encounter. Whether it’s the simple pleasures of music, the comfort of home, the pride in our work, love for our country, or the beauty of nature, these sources of positivity have the remarkable ability to uplift our spirits and enhance our wellbeing. This practice of gratitude is a valuable reminder to cherish and focus on what truly matters in our lives.
mmental healt should be a priority and taken care of.