Mental health should be treated with the same level of importance as physical health. If you have the flu, you know you need to lie down and rest until you feel better, and that means no work. Your co-workers also probably appreciate you keeping your contagious illness at home, too. Mental illness tends to be seen as personal weakness rather than a physical illness. If employers, and employees, begin to view mental health the same way they view physical health, workers will be better able to perform their jobs with efficiency. There are some recognizable ways a mental health day can benefit the employer and the employee.
Regain Focus
If your mental health is being disrupted by a distraction in your life it can be difficult to focus on the work you need to accomplish on the job. The best thing you can do for yourself and your boss is to take a day or two off and handle whatever is getting in the way of your ability to focus. When you can concentrate your full attention on the distraction and get it cleared away you will find that you can function better in general. You will be able to sleep, you will be able to concentrate, and you will be able to do good work.
Visit a Specialist
Don't try to squeeze your mental health visits into a long lunch break. Give your appointments the same respect you would give to a visit to a physical doctor. Schedule the time you need with a therapist, or make an appointment to have your medication double checked, and then take the time off work to be able to comfortably take care of that business. Missing one day from work to handle your mental health will keep you from needing to take more days off later when the problem becomes larger.
Recharge Your Batteries
Your mind and body need to recharge just like your phone and laptop. Take a day off every now and then to treat yourself to some relaxation. High-stress levels can cause physical as well as mental illness. Missing one day every few months to take care of yourself will mean missing fewer days overall because you won't be as susceptible to illnesses that are floating around. Recharging your batteries by spending a day away from all of your troubles makes you more productive in the long run.