By Elizabeth Skrovanek

We all have those weeks- the ones where we are racing from one thing to another, trying to plan out assignments for the week, and stopping at the grocery store AGAIN, because you seem to always be out of milk. Weeks like these cause our stress levels to accelerate, because our life is based on responsibilities. After all, you are an adult who can function under all types of pressure. But who can blame you? In a society where the answer to a stressful day is an extra shot of espresso, it can be difficult to recognize the difference between just making an excuse and being exhausted. Although ignoring your obligations is not the answer, sometimes taking a break is just the ticket needed to recharge.

Recently, a web developer from Ann Arbor, MI, emailed her colleagues to say that she would be using two sick days to focus on her mental health. This story has sparked discussion across major media outlets about workplace mental health. Her boss thanked her for the candour, especially since she is not alone. Millions of American’s experience mental illness each year. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that only 17% of adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health (Reeves et al, 2011).

When you are sick, you might take a day off work. However, mental health rarely gets the same respect. Instead, people are told to ‘get over it’ when they might be struggling with depression, anxiety or similar issues. But what some people do not realize is that mental health is part of your overall health. If it is not addressed, you won’t be able to perform at your best.

By taking note of these four signs, you might be able to rest your mind and reward yourself with the difference that it might make in the future.

When you constantly seem to be sick

This past month may have been rough. A sinus infection that emerged at the start of a particularly busy week is now accompanied by a nagging cough that doesn’t seem to be going away. While you cannot control your body’s immune system, it is not a coincidence that you seem to get sick during the most inconvenient times. Why? Because life events trigger an amount of stress that causes extra toll on our bodies. To avoid the domino effect of illnesses, take a mental break and prepare for swamped weeks by sticking to a schedule that will allow you the sleep and nutrition needed to feel better and perform your best. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you- it is really good at giving you a heads up, telling you when it is reaching its breaking point.

When you are tired, but cannot sleep

Overworking yourself mentally can lead to physical exhaustion. When someone is physically exhausted, they either need to sleep all the time or they simply cannot fall asleep once they go to bed. And it is no secret that when your sleep suffers, so does your health. When you are constantly facing high stress levels, you can develop insomnia. When this develops, it is best to just take a rest day to sleep, take a good long nap and just relax. It could be just the remedy to get your head and body in tune again.

You are irritable

I’m not saying that everyone is a perfect angel, but when you start getting irritated at small things that would not normally bother you, it could be that your nerves are fired up and you are mentally shorting out. Spending a day away from these things that bother you could help ease up some of the aggression and could also help save some work relationships or friendships.

Loss of focus

When there is just so much going on at work, school or home and your brain just can’t seem to keep track of anything, it can lead to making are less mistakes or even higher stress levels. By taking a day off from the madness, it could be just the ticket to help you recharge and regroup.

*Elizabeth Skrovanek is a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh with research interests in the psychological aspects of genetic disease and fertility. She completed her BS in Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and has worked primarily with postpartum women and their families. Her current area of study is centered around genetic predisposition, fertility and quality of life of women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She maintains active membership in several national nursing organizations and has presented at local, national and international conferences.

Reeves WC, Strine TW, Pratt LA, et al. Mental illness surveillance among adults in the United States. MMWR. 2011;60(3):1–32. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6003a1.htm?s_cid=su6003a1_w