In an increasingly demanding workplace, employee stress is reaching record levels. New generations, particularly Generation Z, are placing increasing importance on mental health and are looking for concrete solutions to maintain their well-being. Yet, despite the recognition of the importance of mental health days, many are still hesitant to take them. Why are these days essential? How can you incorporate them into your work routine without guilt or fear? This article explores the benefits of mental health days and offers practical advice.
According to Gallup's 2023 State of the Global Workplace Report, employee stress remains at an all-time high post-pandemic, with 44% of employees reporting experiencing a high level of stress the previous day.
The new generation entering the workforce is looking for concrete ways to combat this stress. In fact, according to a 2022 survey by TalentLMS and BambooHR, 82% of Gen Z employees want mental health days. Burnout and a lack of work-life balance are the top reasons they leave their jobs.
Another small survey found that baby boomers are the most likely to consider mental health days "absolutely necessary," suggesting that the desire to take a day off to pause and reset is something that spans generations.
But wanting to take time to focus on your mental health and actually doing it are two different things.
A recent Pew survey found that while 62% of employees say it's extremely important to them to have a job that offers paid time off, nearly half of them overlook paid time off.
If you feel like you're too busy to take time off or that your paid time off is limited, know that even a single day can feel like a break, and summer is the perfect time to take a day off for yourself. Here's how to spend a mental health day to maximize its benefits.
Why are Mental Health Days important?
When you work without a break, you're busy, but not necessarily productive. "It's important to have opportunities to rest, reflect, and recharge. It's a misconception that working more hours equates to increased productivity," says Leah Weiss, Ph.D., author of "How We Work" and a professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. "Our bodies and minds aren't meant to be constantly pushed—even elite athletes need rest to get stronger."
Tara O'Sullivan, creative director at PepTalk, compares downtime to sleep. "Sleep is when everything repairs itself and allows the body to recover. You need to allow your thought processes to do the same," she explains.
Sacrifice your need to recharge and, ultimately, you sacrifice your health. “You’re not doing anyone a favor if you give up your mental health for a job. The healthiest people are the ones who take time for themselves and their families,” says Katherine Nelson, a professor in the Department of Human Resource Management at the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia.
5 Ways to Make Mental Health Day a Reality
The demands of work will always be there. But with proper planning, you can push them back from one day to the next.
- Start with your calendar: Does your work cycle have quieter periods and busier ones? Choose a quieter day and you'll be more likely to stick to your plan.
- Make a commitment:If you think you'll be tempted to cancel your day off and come to work, plan something you won't want to miss. Sign up for a seminar, buy tickets to a concert or sporting event, book a spa day, or make plans with a friend.
- Reach out to your colleagues:Ask them what they think they might need while you're gone so you can prepare. Set parameters: maybe they'll call you on your cell phone if something really critical comes up. This way, you free yourself from checking emails and texts.
- Send a powerful away message: Include the email addresses and phone numbers of colleagues people can contact while you're gone. Chris Dyer, author of "The Power of Company Culture," recommends asking people to resend their messages after you return and deleting any emails received while you're gone. Really.
- Trust your team.
- The world won't stop if you take a day off. "We all think we're indispensable, but none of us are. If you got hit by a truck tomorrow, your boss would find a workaround," Nelson says.
How to spend a mental health day to get the most out of it?
It can be tempting to leave the whole day free, but that's a mistake. You won't be refreshed if you feel like you wasted your day watching Netflix. And don't start tackling a to-do list. This isn't the day for oil changes and dentist appointments. Think about what you need and plan your day ahead of time.
Know what makes you feel better. For many people, spending time outdoors, moving, and connecting socially are the best choices. Plan activities that allow you to "get lost in the shuffle," says Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., a certified clinical psychologist and author of Own Best Friend: Eight Steps to a Life of Purpose, Passion, and Ease.
Learning can be restorative, so if it's not part of your job, try using this day to broaden your horizons. Practice an instrument, take an art class, or participate in a workshop.
Not sure exactly what you'd like to do? “Ask yourself what kinds of things you would do if you only had six months to live,” advises Karissa Thacker, Ph.D., author of “The Art of Authenticity.” Is there a scaled-down version of these things you could do on a free day? If you’re planning to travel, visit a nearby city or attraction. If you want to spend time with your kids, consider taking them out of school for a trip to the zoo or a soccer game.
Mental health days are essential for maintaining overall well-being and productivity at work, with stress levels at an all-time high.