How to Call Off for Mental Health Day?

It’s okay to not be okay. Here’s how to call off for mental health day without feeling guilty, because your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

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Introduction

It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed at work from time to time. In fact, according to a 2017 study, one in six American workers reported feeling extremely stressed at work all or most of the time. But when the stress becomes too much to handle and starts negatively impacting your mental health it might be time to call in sick for a Mental Health Day

Before you call off, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consult your company’s policies about calling off for mental health reasons. Some organizations are more understanding and accommodating than others. If your company does not have a specific policy about mental health days, that’s okay. You can still use a personal day or sick day.

Next, think about how you will explain your absence to your boss or manager. It’s important to be honest but also respectful of their time and energy. You don’t need to go into detail about why you are taking the day off but simply state that you are not feeling well and need the day to rest and rejuvenate.

Finally, make sure you have everything covered before you leave for the day. This means completing any urgent tasks, responding to any pressing emails, and letting your team know who will be covering for you while you’re gone. Once you’ve taken care of everything, enjoy your mental health day!

What is a mental health day?

A mental health day is a day where you take off from work or school because you are feeling mentally or emotionally exhausted. Taking a mental health day can help you recharge and come back to your obligations feeling refreshed and better able to cope.

How to call off for a mental health day

It’s always important to take care of your mental health, but sometimes it can be hard to juggle everything going on in your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s OK to take a mental health day. In fact, it might be exactly what you need. Here’s how to call off for a mental health day.

Check your company’s policy

Your company’s policy on mental health days may be more flexible than you think. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or just need a break, it’s important to reach out to your HR department and see what your options are. Many companies are starting to recognize the importance of self-care and are willing to work with employees to make sure they’re taking care of their mental health.

If your company doesn’t have a formal policy on mental health days, that doesn’t mean you can’t take one. Talk to your boss about why you need a day off and see if they’re open to the idea. If they’re not, there are other options available to you. You can use vacation days, personal days, or even sick days if your company allows it.

It’s important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. If you’re feeling like you need a break, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for one.

Talk to your boss

The first step is to talk to your boss. You don’t need to go into detail about what’s wrong, but it is important to be honest about why you need a day off. If your boss is the type of person who is supportive of mental health, they may be more understanding than you think.

It’s also important to remember that you are not obligated to tell your boss everything. You can simply say that you are not feeling well and need a day to rest and recover. If your boss asks for more information, you can decide how much (if anything) you want to disclose.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your boss about your mental health, you can try contacting HR or your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These resources can help you figure out what options are available to you and how to best approach your boss about taking a mental health day.

Prepare for questions

When you call off, there’s a good chance your boss is going to ask why you’re taking the day. This can be tough to answer — after all, you don’t want to get into all the gory details about what’s going on with you.

Here are a few example responses you can use:
-I’m not feeling well and need a day to rest.
-I’m feeling overwhelmed and need some time to recharge.
-I’m dealing with some personal issues and could use a day to myself.

Of course, you don’t have to give any specific details if you’re not comfortable doing so. You can simply say that you’re not feeling well and leave it at that.

How to make the most of your mental health day

A mental health day can be a great way to recharge and take care of yourself. It can be difficult to ask for time off, but it’s important to remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Here are a few tips for how to make the most of your mental health day.

Relax

Relaxation is so important for our mental health, yet it’s often the first thing we sacrifice when we’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re struggling to make time for relaxation, consider scheduling it into your day like any other important appointment. Dedicate 30 minutes to an hour each day to do something calming, whether that’s reading, taking a bath, going for a walk, or listening to music.

Connect with friends or family

On your mental health day, it can be helpful to connect with friends or family. Social support has been linked to better mental health, so spending time with people you care about can help you feel better. If you don’t have any plans, reach out to someone you’d like to spend time with and see if they’re available.

Get outside

When the weather is nice, getting outside can be a great way to help improve your mental health. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety. If you have the opportunity, go for a walk, hike, or bike ride. If not, simply sitting outside in the sun can help boost your mood.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that taking a day for your mental health is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes strength and courage to admit when you’re not feeling your best and to take the steps necessary to take care of yourself. If you’re feeling like you need a mental health day, don’t hesitate to reach out to your employer or supervisor and let them know. They would much rather you take a day off and come back feeling refreshed and ready to work than have you try to tough it out and end up burned out.