Why taking a mental health day is good for you

POLOKWANE – Working a 40-hour week can be tolling both physically and mentally and more people are prone to stress these days, leading to burnouts, which in turn could lead to hospitalisation.

Mental health awareness increases the chances for early intervention and more and more people are encouraging conversations around it, especially in the workplace.

The Polokwane Observer spoke to clinical psychologist, Zelda Buitendag, about the value of taking a mental health day.

“A mental health day is a day you take off from work or school and minimize any commitments or responsibilities. You can use this time to focus on relieving stress, relaxing, having fun, and preventing burnout,” she says.

She adds that a person should take one mental health day per month.

“Taking a mental health day often means taking time to relax. That can mean watching TV in pajamas for hours, or puttering around the house doing nothing. As long as this is not an everyday thing, that is fine. Some activities can take a little front-end effort and feel immensely relaxing once they are completed.”

Some activities include:

• Taking a walk in nature.
• Getting a massage.
• Swimming laps.
• Attending a yoga class.

“The key is to spend time doing an activity that you find relaxing, whether it is taking a hike, exploring a museum, or just spending some time immersed in a good book.”

Mental health leave may improve your mood, energy, motivation and ability to manage stress. Caring for your mental health can also encourage a calm mind and body and relax the nervous system.

Mental health day benefits:

• Reduced feelings of burnout.
• Improved morale and attitude.
• Improved resiliency.
• Reduced isolation and loneliness.
• Prevention of mental health crisis.
• Increased productivity.
• Reduced presenteeism and long-term absenteeism.
• Improved physical health.

When are you in need of a day off:

• You are getting sick a lot.
• You’re always exhausted.
• You feel unappreciated daily.
• Your workload feels overwhelming.
• You feel every work day is a “bad day”.
• You don’t care about your work quality.

“Hopefully, you do not get to this point in your work. If you do, you are on the cliff of burnout or stress overload and it is not a fun falling down. When you start to notice one or two of these mindsets or symptoms creeping in, step back and take the day off.”

How to spot mental health issues at work:

1. Uncharacteristic behaviour.
2. Low levels of engagement.
3. Decreases in productivity.
4. Changes in sleeping or eating behaviours.
5. Disinterest in work or day-to-day activities.
6. Increased absence.
7. Changes in working patterns.
8. Withdrawal from social situations.

“Mental health issues or illnesses are given the same weight as a physical illness when sick leave is required from an employee. There exists a misconception that sick leave accounts for physical illness or injury and does not go beyond that point; this is incorrect. Mental health issues or illnesses are given the same weight as a physical illness when sick leave is required from an employee. However, this does not mean that you, as an employer, cannot ensure that your employee is not taking advantage.”