As an employee, you are totally entitled to the occasional mental health day, which will come out of your designated annual sick leave. But how will you know when you need and should ask to take one? Here are six common signs that you should take a hard-earned break.

SIGN #1: You can’t stay focused

Do you normally concentrate without issues but are maintaining your focus less and less? This is a sign that your brain needs a recharge and more than a quick break away from your screen can provide!

SIGN #2: You’re falling behind

If you know that your workload is generally perfectly manageable but you notice that lately you are getting behind, you might need a day off to get some rest so you are able to tackle your tasks again. 

SIGN #3: You keep nodding off

If you’re getting the amount of sleep optimal for wellbeing  – which is between seven and nine hours a night – but you keep falling asleep at your post, you might be tired OR becoming demotivated.

SIGN #4: You are sad or stressed

Are you feeling more anxious than usual? Or crying easily? Feeling emotional for no apparent reason can be a side effect of stress. A mental health day can give you some much-needed time to unwind.

SIGN #5: Your body feels tense

We often carry stress in the body as well as the brain and one of the most common signs is experiencing tension, from headaches to muscle pain. Treat yourself to a day off and spend it at a spa. 

SIGN #6: You don’t care anymore 

When you start to feel apathetic and don’t care anymore, about yourself, your appearance or your job, it’s definitely time to take a day off to relax but also to reassess your career satisfaction.