Plan your mental health day during a slow time at work.  Make sure your day off doesn’t bring stress on others. Check the calendar and your schedule to ensure your day off works for everyone. Pick a Friday or a Monday if you don’t work during the week-end. Three days without working can do miracles. Instead of saying that you are stressed, just tell your boss that you have a few important personal appointments or matters to address and would like the day off from work.  Be calm and confident in your approach and reassure him/her that you will have your work covered and/or deadlines met in time. Don’t pretend to be sick. If your boss doesn’t believe you, you might be in trouble. Don’t tell co-workers or clients that you need a mental health day. Some people are unfortunately intolerant toward health issues. Find a co-worker to back you up if there is an emergency at work and you’re needed. Consult with human resources to figure out how to categorize your day off.  In some cases, the company may have actual mental health days built into your benefits - another reason why you should not feel guilty. You might want to make the day off about you and only you. It shouldn’t be about fetching the little one at school or buying nappies. Discuss the planning in advance and make sure that everybody will respect your peace and quiet.  Offer to do more for the household before or after your day off to compensate. The key is respect and understanding. Tell your family not to call you on your mental health day, except in case of emergency. If you want, it’s also perfectly fine to spend your day with your family. It’s all about what you want! You want to make sure that your day off work is as relaxing as possible. A bit of preparation will help considerably. Make sure that you have all you need in advance. You don’t want to get stuck in a line at the supermarket’s cashier on your day off.  Make a list the day before and go buy what you need. Buy the essential, such as food and drinks, but don’t forget things that might make you happy. Make a schedule of your day and fit in priority what you would really want to do. It’s better not to have any work at hand for your day off. Leave everything at your office place. Turn off your phone and avoid your emails. Make a resolution that you will not work and truly commit to taking your mental health care day seriously. If you want to keep your phone turned on, make sure to turn off the emails to avoid any temptation.
حدد اليوم المناسب. خطط للأمر مع مديرك وزملائك. اطلب من أسرتك بعض السلام النفسي. حدد ما ستفعله مسبقًا. اجعل البيئة المحيطة بك تساعدك على الراحة والاسترخاء.