4 reasons to play hooky from work

You become ill with a cold or the flu.  You’re puking your guts out.  Headachey, dripping snot,  you must call in sick so others are not exposed to contagious cooties and so you can recuperate.  But are there other reasons to call in sick?  The answer is a healthy “Fuck yeah!”

Feeling distracted, low energy, blue or under-the-weather and stressed may indicate a need to take a day off from work.  Everyone can use a breather from the 9-to-5 every once in a while.  Here are four reasons to have an occasional guilt-free day off.

MENTAL HEALTH

The human body is a well-oiled machine when it comes to its stress response.  Hormones, such as cortisol and norepinepherine, are released during sustained stress. They become a burden to the body and that can lead to irritability, anger, anxiety and depression.  Taking time off is taking time for the brain to recalibrate.  You cleanse the mental palate when choosing consciously to take time away from that which creates significant stress.

Day off ideas: Meditate; pray; do breathing exercises; listen to calm music; start a craft project; stay off the computer (yes, all day long); journal; play with a pet; take a long, hot bath; read; watch a funny movie.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

It comes back around to the stress hormones.  They remain in the system for up to 72 hours after a single stressful encounter.  Constantly barraged with these hormones, the body becomes fatigued.  Chronic stress can lead to chronic health problems such as weight gain, improper blood sugar metabolism, decreased immune function and high blood pressure. A day off is like depositing health into the bank of wellness.  It can be withdrawn later on when in need.

Day off ideas: Do yoga or stretching exercises; go for a walk, run, bike or hike; have sex; garden; work out; cook a healthy meal; take a nap; get a massage.

RELATIONSHIP HEALTH

Relationships can become strained when stress becomes unmanageable.    It’s easy to ignore family and friends when job stress is high.  Relationships get imbalanced when you are over-booked.  Stress can make some people distracted from their most important social networks.  Take time during this mini-holiday to cultivate relationships.

Day off ideas: Call a friend; forgive someone; talk with your children; go on a date with a significant other; be a good listener; have a neighbor over for dinner; visit the elderly.

CAREER HEALTH

Do you need an attitude adjustment?  Jobs are an obvious contributor to stress build-up.  In order to remain a high-caliber, productive employee, taking a day off can improve performance at work.  Stress can impede career creativity.  Taking a hiatus can make space for new ideas and improve problem solving so that, upon returning to the office, you are refreshed and ready to tackle job-related projects and issues.

Day off ideas: Say “no” to a new commitment; talk to a life coach or career counselor; resolve to find middle ground with a contentious co-worker; consider not multi-tasking; do creative visualization regarding career success.

A day off is all about lowering stress levels in order to increase health and relaxation.  The trick, however, is to not feel guilty about this time away from career demands.  You might feel you aren’t “doing anything,” but it doesn’t mean you aren’t being constructive.  Reframe this idea.  The choice to play hooky creates time to recharge.  Then, you can be a more effective employee, a better friend, a loving family member and a healthier human.

What do you like to do on your days off?

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