How to Take a Mental Health Day

Everyone gets tired of their job at one point or another and need a little down time to recharge before they take back off.  You may call it a sick day, a vacation day or a personal day but what it really is, is a mental health day.  

Choose your day - Sometimes you know far enough in advance that you can request the day off but if you have a job that requires requests be made in weeks in advance, that is not always possible.  If you choose to take a Friday or Monday it makes for a long weekend but a day off in the middle of the week helps to break the monotony of the week up.

Call out if you have not requested it off - Follow the proper call in procedures as outlined on your job so that you will not be facing disciplinary action when you return.  Call in and tell them that you need a personal day.  

Go in late or leave early - If you cannot get the whole day off, take half of it off.  A mental health day does not always take all day.  Get some extra sleep and go in late or leave early and go and see a movie by yourself or spend the afternoon playing golf or doing something that you want to do.

Keep it a secret from all of those who want to monopolize your time - You did not take this day to run errands, pay bills or go to the doctor's office.  Do not tell your children or your spouse until it is too late for them to plan something else for you to do.

Enjoy the extras in life - Eat a special food, do some shopping or indulge in something that you will really see as a reward for all of your hard work.  Share the day with friends if you choose but do not get bullied into doing anything that you do not want to do.  Be selfish, let your hair down and enjoy it.