Workplace Right: Take a Mental Day

To be a productive and positive individual leading a healthy life, we need to look after ourselves mentally and physically. While physical health is of great importance, our mental health is even more essential in order to live a satisfied life.

Why is mental health more significant? Let’s take Stephen Hawking as an example. He is a British physicist and regarded by many as one of the most intelligent individuals alive today. As you might know, due to a disease, Hawking is almost completely paralyzed and can only communicate through the movement of his cheek. However, even though his physical body is not working, he has maintained his mental health and has accomplished what most “normal” people can never achieve. Thus, he is a great example of someone who, after losing his physical health, has not given up and has used his mental intellect for greater purposes.

Contrastingly, many of us who have the blessing of good physical health neglect our mental health. Whether it is through depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder or some other mental condition, many people just give into these problems.

With that said, our fast-paced, modern, and busy lifestyle involving high stress professional situations is also to blame. It can take a great toll on our mental health. As such, we need to be aware of our rights at workplace and communicate with our employers when and if we need a day or two off from work.

Following are some ways to determine whether or not you are overexerting yourself at work and need a mental day.

1. Being sleepy at work throughout the week

If that’s you, then you definitely need to take care of your sleeping schedule. Many people sleep a lot less than they really should and this produces poor performance at work as well as bring down one’s family and social life. So, to counter this, it’s advisable to take a mental day. You can use this opportunity to catch up on your sleep to refresh your mind and start a more suitable sleeping habit.

2. Being increasingly angry

If the smallest things at work is making you upset and annoyed at others, this can be a sign that you are overly stressed and need time off. Use this hiatus to recollect yourself and reassess what are the underlying causes of your unexpected outbursts.

3. Being lazy and unmotivated

Too much stress can cause us to become unmotivated to do the simplest things. Take a mental day off (maybe even on a Monday to have a long weekend) in order to get away from the hassles of life and get some quality time to yourself. This can hopefully recharge your mental state and make you more active.

Dr. Ronald Fieve of the Fieve Depression Center as well as his associates is an expert in mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and PTSD. He has authored several books in his field and is a well-known figure across the nation. If you are looking for a highly qualified and experienced psychiatrist to discuss your needs, he would be happy to offer a consultation. You are welcomed to contact his office and schedule an appointment.