SUMMARY POINTS
It’s gotten to the point where you just can’t fucking deal with work bullshit anymore. It’s been building up for some time now.
It could be from putting in long hours, suffering in a toxic environment, being worked like a slave, reporting to an asshole boss or any number of things. It’s the culmination of all of these things that are now putting you at your breaking point.
You feel like quitting but you know you can’t. Maybe, it’s because you need the money and/or benefits. Or, perhaps there really isn’t a good alternative option right now. Whatever the reason, you’re basically stuck for now.
All you want to do is just check out from work and forget all the bullshit for a day. You dream of working for a company that offers unlimited PTO. You’d take an extended vacay to some far-off exotic destination.
But you can’t just check out.
You don’t have many vacation days left and the few that you do have, you really need to save for a real “get away from everything” solo vacation.
Then, you realize that you have some sick days saved up. Maybe, you could use those if you come up with some creative reasons.
Part of you thinks that it’s okay to use sick days like PTO days. Another part of you thinks that you need to save those sick days for when you’re really sick.
Well, we’re here to tell you that you should take a sick day even when you’re not physically sick in the traditional sense.
It could be from putting in long hours, suffering in a toxic environment, being worked like a slave, reporting to an asshole boss or any number of things. It’s the culmination of all of these things that are now putting you at your breaking point.
You feel like quitting but you know you can’t. Maybe, it’s because you need the money and/or benefits. Or, perhaps there really isn’t a good alternative option right now. Whatever the reason, you’re basically stuck for now.
All you want to do is just check out from work and forget all the bullshit for a day. You dream of working for a company that offers unlimited PTO. You’d take an extended vacay to some far-off exotic destination.
But you can’t just check out.
You don’t have many vacation days left and the few that you do have, you really need to save for a real “get away from everything” solo vacation.
Then, you realize that you have some sick days saved up. Maybe, you could use those if you come up with some creative reasons.
Part of you thinks that it’s okay to use sick days like PTO days. Another part of you thinks that you need to save those sick days for when you’re really sick.
Well, we’re here to tell you that you should take a sick day even when you’re not physically sick in the traditional sense.
It’s Not Just About Being Physically Sick
Traditionally, sick days are meant for those days when you’re actually sick or need time for physical recovery. It’s when you get hit with the flu, suffer an injury or have a surgical procedure done. In these kinds of situations, you need the time off from work to heal and recover.
However, things are changing now. Being sick isn’t just about physical ailments anymore. More and more companies are revising their sick day policies to include other non-physical ailments. This often includes mental health.
However, things are changing now. Being sick isn’t just about physical ailments anymore. More and more companies are revising their sick day policies to include other non-physical ailments. This often includes mental health.
There is growing evidence to suggest that work stress has a strong influence on physical health. This academic study from the University of Colorado shows that stressors at work can negatively impact employee health. And this is just one of many.
The bottom line is that your overall health isn’t just physical health but your mental health as well. This is why it’s important to take care of yourself not only from a physiological standpoint, but also from a mental one too.
So, don’t limit your sick days to just physical ailments. You need to take sick days when your mental health is in the shitter too.
The bottom line is that your overall health isn’t just physical health but your mental health as well. This is why it’s important to take care of yourself not only from a physiological standpoint, but also from a mental one too.
So, don’t limit your sick days to just physical ailments. You need to take sick days when your mental health is in the shitter too.
Mental Health Reasons For Taking A Sick Day
We all know that one person at work who takes every sick day they're offered, even if they're not really sick. Are they just lazy? Or is there something else going on?
It’s funny how some people can predict that they’ll be “sick” on Monday or right before a long weekend.
Others take sick days for mental health reasons.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed AF, stressed out, or just need some time to yourself, taking a day off can be the perfect solution. And you don't have to feel guilty about it, especially if you've been struggling with your mental health lately.
There is nothing wrong with taking a day off from work and giving yourself some “me-time” to focus on your mental health. In fact, we would argue that it's actually a very smart thing to do.
Here are some of the mental health reasons why you should take a sick day off from work.
It’s funny how some people can predict that they’ll be “sick” on Monday or right before a long weekend.
Others take sick days for mental health reasons.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed AF, stressed out, or just need some time to yourself, taking a day off can be the perfect solution. And you don't have to feel guilty about it, especially if you've been struggling with your mental health lately.
There is nothing wrong with taking a day off from work and giving yourself some “me-time” to focus on your mental health. In fact, we would argue that it's actually a very smart thing to do.
Here are some of the mental health reasons why you should take a sick day off from work.
Stressed Out
It’s become the de facto standard for a lot of companies now - more work with less resources. It’s all in the name of efficiency. Maximizing output whether it’s a widget machine or you at the keyboard is the aim.
But, you’re not a machine. You’re human. We all have our limits.
When you’ve got to manage tons of projects, overlapping deadlines, multiple bosses, etc. you often max yourself out. Going all out all the time is not sustainable or healthy. It’ll lead to burnout.
You have to take your foot off the gas pedal every once in a while to recover.
But, you’re not a machine. You’re human. We all have our limits.
When you’ve got to manage tons of projects, overlapping deadlines, multiple bosses, etc. you often max yourself out. Going all out all the time is not sustainable or healthy. It’ll lead to burnout.
You have to take your foot off the gas pedal every once in a while to recover.
Sick Of Work
Hey, sometimes you’re just sick of work. Plain and simple.
You don’t feel like dealing with all the bullshit, office politics, back-to-back meetings and calls, pain in the ass coworkers and whatever else.
There’s only so much that you can take and when you’re getting close to your breaking point, that’s when you need to take a mental health day and just disconnect from work and leave all the bullshit behind.
Because let’s face it, it’s impossible to motivate yourself when you’re just not feeling it. You need to step away from work and recover.
You don’t feel like dealing with all the bullshit, office politics, back-to-back meetings and calls, pain in the ass coworkers and whatever else.
There’s only so much that you can take and when you’re getting close to your breaking point, that’s when you need to take a mental health day and just disconnect from work and leave all the bullshit behind.
Because let’s face it, it’s impossible to motivate yourself when you’re just not feeling it. You need to step away from work and recover.
Bad Boss Relief
There’s nothing more soul-crushing than having an asshole boss that you have to report to. They can make your life an absolute fucking misery. And, it’s not just your work life. They can negatively impact your personal and family life too.
No job is worth that. Unfortunately, we often suffer through this and it ruins us. It’s time to put an end to this.
When your bitch boss is pushing you to the brink of explosion, it’s time to walk away and give yourself a sick day for some time and space to decompress.
No job is worth that. Unfortunately, we often suffer through this and it ruins us. It’s time to put an end to this.
When your bitch boss is pushing you to the brink of explosion, it’s time to walk away and give yourself a sick day for some time and space to decompress.
Post-Project Break
When you’ve completed a huge project and got everything past the finish line on time, you deserve recognition and a little mental break from all the grunt work.
You burn a lot of mental energy to keep momentum when things get fucking hard. So, it’s important that you give your brain a break after everything is done. After all, your brain is kinda like a muscle too. It needs recovery after a workout.
You burn a lot of mental energy to keep momentum when things get fucking hard. So, it’s important that you give your brain a break after everything is done. After all, your brain is kinda like a muscle too. It needs recovery after a workout.
Toxic Workplace
Some workplaces are like mental torture chambers. There’s no sense of teamwork or collaborative togetherness. It’s a shitty place to work.
When you’re surrounded by backstabbers and cut-throat coworkers, you always feel like you’re being targeted. And, if you’re not careful, there’s a good chance that you’ll be thrown under the bus again.
It’s important that you figure out a way to leave this toxic environment fast. Until you do, be sure to take a sick day every now and then to preserve your mental health.
When you’re surrounded by backstabbers and cut-throat coworkers, you always feel like you’re being targeted. And, if you’re not careful, there’s a good chance that you’ll be thrown under the bus again.
It’s important that you figure out a way to leave this toxic environment fast. Until you do, be sure to take a sick day every now and then to preserve your mental health.
All-Nighter Recovery
And you thought you left all-nighters behind after college.
Every so often, when you’re under the gun to meet an urgent deadline for a key project or task, there’s no choice but to pull an all-nighter and get it done. This is when you get in the zone and bang out all the work.
It’s a full-on mental sprint to finish the presentation, complete the report, compile all the data, etc. You’re doing everything all at once.
After you’ve successfully completed everything, it’s time to take a break from work and just zone out and relax for a day.
Every so often, when you’re under the gun to meet an urgent deadline for a key project or task, there’s no choice but to pull an all-nighter and get it done. This is when you get in the zone and bang out all the work.
It’s a full-on mental sprint to finish the presentation, complete the report, compile all the data, etc. You’re doing everything all at once.
After you’ve successfully completed everything, it’s time to take a break from work and just zone out and relax for a day.
Take A Mental Health Day As A Sick Day
Things probably aren’t so good for you right now. We get it. We all have rough days at work. It sucks.
Unfortunately, there are going to be times when you just have to push through to the other side. These are suckfest days for sure.
However, there will also be times when you have to blow the whistle and give yourself a timeout before you lose your shit. You know yourself best and where your limits are.
So, when you’re getting to your breaking point, don’t hesitate to pull the ripcord and open the parachute. Take a mental health sick day to rest and recover.
It’s critical that you manage work stress so that you prevent burnout. Give yourself some time to heal and re-energize. Then, you can get back at it and be the superstar that you are.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]
Unfortunately, there are going to be times when you just have to push through to the other side. These are suckfest days for sure.
However, there will also be times when you have to blow the whistle and give yourself a timeout before you lose your shit. You know yourself best and where your limits are.
So, when you’re getting to your breaking point, don’t hesitate to pull the ripcord and open the parachute. Take a mental health sick day to rest and recover.
It’s critical that you manage work stress so that you prevent burnout. Give yourself some time to heal and re-energize. Then, you can get back at it and be the superstar that you are.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]