A story had gone viral a few weeks ago about a young woman who told her colleagues via email that she was out so she could focus on her mental health. She promised to return the following week fully refreshed. The CEO responded, and he was very supportive of her decision to take care of her mental health.
To me, this was very important. So often are people so afraid of the negative stigma attached to mental health. If some of us are reluctant to take off for physical illness, how much more difficult is it to ask for a day to gain peace of mind? So, we tend to just shrug off our mental health and deal with it.
I’ve been very open about my PPD and PPA struggles both personally and professionally. Sometimes, it was hard to hide. I’ve also been dealing with my struggle of being a working parent. Combine that with work stress, and little self care, and it can be taxing for anyone. So, I used that young lady an example. Long story short, I too took a mental day off. I had to work very late the day before since I had asked for it last minute , but it was worth it to get away for even a day.
On that Friday, my mother in law was still came over to watch my son. The day off meant that I was supposed to focus on things I wanted: SLEEP, baby time, hobbies. Exercise if I could, but I can tell you right now, it wasn’t a priority that day!
I did exactly what I wanted. My mother in law came later than usual, so I slept in, and baby and I spent quality time when he woke up. I get refreshed and content. When she came over, she brought over one of my favorite foods, which I got to enjoy at a normal eating pace. We went shopping to plan a future party, and visited some stores for Poshmark sourcing. I even got additional time to prepare my listings for the following week!
The day was busy, but I felt so relaxed and fulfilled. I did everything that I wanted to do. I relaxed when I felt like it, and I was able to focus on things that I enjoyed. My mind didn’t feel uneasy, and I was able to just enjoy things normally.
The day prepared me mentally for the busy weekend. Even better, I still felt rejuvenated enough to go to work ready for the week. No big “case of the Mondays” or dreading the office. Just ready to do my job, no matter how busy it was going to be.
Luckily for me, my boss was aware of what was going on with me. She sympathetized and agreed that so long as I didn’t have any urgent tasks, the day was mine.
Unfortunately, I realize that having this kind of day is not possible for anyone. Sadly, it’s considered a luxury. However, if you can’t muster up a day, then try for few hours. It’s well worth it. Everyone needs some self care. We owe it to ourselves. Without it, we continue to feel depleted and stressed. I’m hoping to incorporate another mental health day sometime in the future!
💙, jenn
This Mommy is Real 
I saw that story! OLark has great practices of self-care in place for their employees! I commended the woman for knowing that she needed that day and actually took it (bc how many of us know we need to take a mental health day, but don’t?) and I commend the employer for accepting it reacting so positively!.
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Oh yes. I totally agree with you. Doing all the same routine for 365 days, everyone needs to focus and be concern of our mental health.
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I think it’s great that your boss was supportive. I wish all bosses were like this.
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I know, if more were, then it would help people be less afraid.
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Such a great reminder that we need to take better concern for our mental health….
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Mental health is such an important thing to maintain! I’ve never heard of a mental health day, but I’m TOTALLY for it! It sounds like you had an awesome experience too!
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Sadly, it’s not even a thing! I just needed one so I took it.
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Love this! Everyone could use a mental health day every once in a while. As a bus driver I get a mental health summer. After a school year full of crazy kids on a bus, trust, you need the summer 🙂 Thank you for sharing. It is such an intimate topic and a lot of people in the passed have found it taboo. I love to see how many people are coming out and saying, ‘Yes! I have this… or that… and I need time to recoup.’ It is helping educate more people and very inspiring to others who are dealing with it themselves or with a family member.
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I think I would need a whole summer too if I were you. It is still taboo so that’s why I blog about it. It’s more common than people think.
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I think a mental health day (or a few hours) is great, however, I can see a boss’s reluctance to honoring it. Unfortunately, a lot of people have learned to take advantage of actual mental health and use it as an excuse for their own agenda. It’s a shame, because I think everyone should be able to have a mental health day every now and then. especially moms who get no breaks. As a work-from-home mom without a car, this simply is not possible, but I do try to make sure I take some time for my own sanity’s sake for no one to need me and just relax and refresh.
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Yes, there will always be those people who take advantage of the system. But we can’t always let those people take the need from those who are really suffering. I’m glad you find some time on your own to unwind. You definitely deserve it.
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Someone in my neighborhood recently committed suicide. From the outside, she had the perfect life. No one knew she suffered from depression. Thank you for sharing your story and being open about these difficult topics.
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Very raw and authentic post! Kudos to you putting yourself out there! We all feel empowered from people like you sharing your stories. Amazing post!
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Great post! I love the idea of even taking a couple of hours to self-care if one can not commit to an entire day.
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What a great post and an important reminder of how important our mental health really is…sad that taking those needed days off is impossible for many.
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Kudos to your mom and MIL for understanding! A mental health day is always needed and honestly should be stipulated in company policy! lol. Like seriously!! Thank you for sharing!! 🙂
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You’re very inspirational for staying so strong through it all
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A very inspiring post. You have a great MIL and a boss. Every mom could relate to this, not only those who are working but also stay at home moms.
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I am all about taking mental health days. They let me reset when it comes to being in school.
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Wow, your post is incredibly inspirational and really draws into the important reality that everyone, whether young or old, needs to have a break in the daily stressful routines of life.
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Mental health days are becoming more common and I think it’s super important to take them. Even I work for myself as a full time blogger and I just need to relax sometimes and seriously take a day for my sanity! Thanks for sharing the lovely post!
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I saw the post you speak of and it’s absolutely brilliant. Not many persons are understanding as it relates to mental health but it is really important to take of one’s mental health. I’m glad your boss was sympathetic to your needs so that you could gather your thoughts and feelings.
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Thanks for sharing your experience! I think most of us (especially if we are women) are too slow to ask for what we need. I hope that talking about mental health and personal needs can become destigmatized in the next few years because it will make the world a better place for both employees and employers!
Elizabeth | Confidentlyelegant.com
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Inspiring and courageous post – thank you. It also gives me great hope and joy to read that, both in the story you mentioned and in your own experience, the boss/your boss was supportive and understanding. Truth is, it’s also logical! If we allow people time to take care of their mental health when they know they need to give it attention, then longer term implications, both personal and professional, can be avoided. . Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Harula x
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