Take a ‘Sad Day’ If Work Weights You Down (4)
You wouldn’t beat yourself up for catching a debilitating cold. The more you push yourself when you’re feeling terrible, the harder it’ll be to do well at your job.
So, I can say something like “I think I need a day off just to recharge a little bit. I want to come back to work with all of my energy”?
Yes, that’s exactly right. But some workplaces are still hostile to this idea. In my precious job, for example, I had stress-induced headaches and nighttime panic attacks because I was under intense pressure. My employer required a doctor’s note before I could take a sick day. When I needed time off to manage my symptoms, I told my manager I’d had some concussions in high school football-which I never played-and they were causing me sever migraines. It was easier to get a doctor’s note than to explain my mental situation.
Sorry to hear you had to resort to a while lie like that. At A&A, you don’t have to pretend your ailments are physical.
But, of course, a sad day is only a temporary fix. It’s not meant to address deeper problems.
If work weighs you down, a little time away can make a big difference. Signs that you need a break include mood swings, reduced productivity and inability to concentrate.
Like any other form of sick time, a mental-health day can cover a range of problems, from simple fatigue or burnout to more serious problems like chronic depression or an anxiety disorder.
