Mental Wellness
Full time employees are often offered a benefit package that includes paid time off for holidays, sick days and vacation days. But what about the ever important mental health day? In my opinion, we must normalize mental health days!
Understanding the Concept
A mental health day is exactly what it sounds like. It's a day (or perhaps half day), that you dedicate to doing something just for you. You take time off from your usual day to day responsibilities and instead, simply focus on something that will make you feel good!
The Evidence
Research indicates there are many benefits to taking mental health days such as: decreased burn out and improved resiliency. Ironic though it may sound, taking mental health days has actually been show to improve productivity at work and DECREASE absences at work over time.
Take Action
My advice? Pick a day and schedule it. Do whatever makes you happy, especially if it's something you often don't make time to do.
Ideas to Consider
The Bigger Picture
Many companies don't offer specific days that are ear marked for mental health or overall wellness. I would argue, that they should! Employees should not be left wondering if a simple day that is needed for recharging should be deducted from their pool of vacation vs. sick days.
Mental health is stigmatized enough as is. If you are in a leadership position with your current employer, I urge you to consider being a part of the solution. Offer mental health days to your employees.
A Note to Leaders
Mental health is stigmatized enough as is. Offering dedicated days signals that your organization genuinely values wellbeing.
Employees should not be left wondering whether a recharge day should be deducted from vacation vs. sick days.
If you feel like taking a day off to relax and decompress will not be enough to reboot your mental health, consider speaking with a trusted psychiatrist.
Ready to Begin
Take the first step toward feeling like yourself again. Dr. Turner is ready to help.
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