Even if they are, new research shows that more than half of employed Americans would be nervous to take a day off for mental health reasons because they believe an employer will think less of them. Unfortunately, the consequences of employees going hard until they are on the verge of quitting or having a mental breakdown are real. The cost is expensive to both employees and employers.
Research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that anxiety and depressive disorders cost the global economy a trillion dollars in lost productivity each year.
Unsure of the signs to look for that an employee needs a break?
Below, this post covers the tell-tale signs an employee needs to take a day or two for themselves. Read on to keep these signs in mind for the health of your employees and yourself.
Every person has a threshold of what they can handle for stress. Some folks thrive under constant pressure, but others need frequent breaks or adjustments to handle them. Neither way is the wrong way, it’s just how people are wired. But, sooner or later, stress does catch up to the body either mentally, physically, or both.
You’re in desperate need of a day off if:
Hopefully, you don’t get to this point in your work. If you do, you’re on the cliff of burnout or stress overload and it’s not a fun fall down. When you start to notice one or two of these mindsets or symptoms creeping in, step back and take the day off.
Here are some tell-tale signs you’re in need of a break ASAP:
If you’re feeling constantly crabby, irritable, and not feeling like yourself, it’s probably time for a mental health day. If you have anxiety or depression, you may feel overly anxious or more down than usual. There’s no need to push through the pain and suffering. Take note of your mood and then do what you can to elevate it — even if that means getting a therapist on the phone.
Are you suddenly noticing your neck and shoulders feel much tighter than normal? Is your stomach in a constant knot? Do you feel nauseous every time you think of work? Start paying attention to physical symptoms that manifest around stressful periods. Headaches, stomach pain, and the like are all possible physical indicators of excessive stress. These are clear indicators that your body is warning you it is in need of a break emotionally, too.
Related: These 35 Mental Health Quotes of the Day Are Worth Reading
Making mistakes and scrambling to get all your work done is a prime sign you need a break from work. Even a single day off can help you clear your mind and come back with a fresh perspective to tackle work projects. When you have too much going on at work and home, it makes it that much more difficult to focus. Take care of loose ends or stressors so you can bring your best efforts into the workplace. Practice mindfulness moments on your day off to increase your concentration upon your return to work.
When you stay stressed for too long, your body responds accordingly. Chronic stress weakens the responses of your immune system, making you more prone to illness during stressful periods, according to the American Psychological Association. If you always have a cold, stomach issues, or frequent infections, your immune system is tired and weak. Boost it by eating well, sleeping enough, staying updated on vaccines, exercising, taking mental health days, and washing your hands often.
If you aren’t getting excited about new work projects anymore, it may be time to take a little break. Aside from taking a mental health day off, you may want to ask for some extra help at work. Or, ask for a temporary assignment switch to get your hands into something new and exciting. Even a day off can help you come back with a renewed sense of work purpose. See how it goes after a day or two off and take note of how you feel when you come back.
Related: Mental Health in the Workplace: Why You Need an Open Dialogue
Once you’ve penciled in your mental health day, it’s time to think about how you’ll spend that time off. The whole idea of this day is to focus on self-care while taking an opportunity to pause and renew your energy overall. One day may not seem like a whole lot of time, but when you’re on the edge of burnout, it may just be the restorative day you need.
Use these tips to make the most of your day off:
Out of paid time off? Wisely use the weekends to rejuvenate. Instead of staring down and starting multiple projects on your home to-do list, aim to take it easy. Sure, you may need to do necessary activities like grocery shopping, but the rest of the time, let yourself enjoy the weekend as a period of rest.
Not only will your employees benefit from the occasional mental health day off, but your workplace will, too.
If your employees constantly feel emotionally and physically exhausted, it’s going to negatively impact their work output and quality as well as the people around them.
Instead of just pushing mental health discussions under the rug, develop a more open culture around the importance of mental well-being. If you don’t think you’ll get anywhere with your team by discussing deep issues like anxiety, then opt for burnout discussions instead. Everyone has been there at one point and time.
During stressful times — like the ongoing pandemic — it’s more important than ever for employees to feel it’s okay to take time off. As the boss, encourage them to do so.
Ways to encourage time off:
At the end of 2017, 52% of Americans didn't even use all of their vacation days, according to a US Travel Association's Project Time Off study. Don’t be that employer who lets that happen. Instead, encourage rest and rejuvenation. It’s good for the mind, body, spirit, and company!
Want similar content? Check out this Nutrition and Mental Health: What’s the Connection? article and share it with your team!