Can I Allow Myself Mental Health Days?

Living in a fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of mental health days. For many, these days are non-existent, or they have been few and far between. Personal stories often highlight the challenges of balancing the need for mental health with the demands of work and daily life.

Challenging Work Patterns

Consider this: I work around 12 hours a day, every single day. Before that, I spent several years in the military. As a result, the last time I had a full day without work was during high school. This is not an exaggeration; work has been my life.

The past two years, now dedicated to my college education, were the first significant break. However, even then, I managed to squeeze in only four total mental health days throughout. The last of these was overshadowed by an unexpected allergy attack that thwarted my plans for a mental health break.

Experience from School Years

Going back further, six years in high school and an equal number in primary school, I pretended to be sick a total of six times to stay home on what should have been mental health days. Oddly, my second time out was the real deal; I caught a stomach bug later that day. My attempts at deception became moot, and it served as a stark reminder of the importance of genuine self-care.

The Question of Ability

The question that frequently surfaces is not whether we can take these days but whether we can allow ourselves to do so. For many individuals, the reality is that these days are either luxury items or completely inaccessible. Taking time off work to recharge often seems like an unattainable dream when you're working to pay bills and sustain a living.

For me, mental health days have become a part of my usual weekend routine. Saturdays and Sundays are now dedicated to recharging, but they must yield to the demands of my work schedule if I'm on call.

Conclusion

The journey toward self-care is challenging, especially when work-life balance is out of sync. To truly embrace the concept of mental health days is to acknowledge the importance of our mental wellness, especially in a world where work often takes center stage.

Key Takeaways

Mental health days are crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Striving for work-life balance is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Self-care should be a priority, even if it means making difficult choices in the face of work demands.

By recognizing and allowing these days, we can better cope with the stresses of modern life and ensure we're making the most of our health and happiness.