It’s not a bad suggestion.
Experts saymental health dayscan help people feel replenished and ready to return to work.
But they are not a long-term solution to the mental health crisis the U.S. is facing.
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Doing things you enjoy also has proven mental health benefits.
“You don’t have your email open.
You’re doing exactly what replenishes you.”
“It is a privilege to be able to take a mental health day,” Sawyer says.
Marginalized communities such as Black peopleand LGBTQ+ peoplehave higher rates of poverty, homelessness, and face more discrimination.
“You have to maintain a certain level of energy to engage in protests,” he says.
Taking an occasional day off here and there is not enough to heal the trauma caused bysystemic racismand discrimination.
In addition to the benefits to employees, it would also save companies money.
He says employers could also proactively give employees out-of-web connection benefits for mental health treatment.
Additionally, the government could invest in mental health by providing funding for treatments that work.
“Not all mental health treatments are effective,” Cohen says.
Addressing the growing mental health crisis in the U.S. has to be multi-pronged.
That won’t happen through a few mental health days.
But be mindful of what you actually need.
Will you feel worse if you lie around and watch TV for most of the day?
If so, try doing something that makes you happy, like going for a hike.
If you might’t take mental health days, Sawyer recommends “taking inventory.”
Write down your daily activities, and note which ones cause you stress and which bring you joy.
Then, “edit” your days in the ways you’re able to.
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