In today’s busy world, stress and burnout have become far too common. While taking a sick day for the flu or a fever is widely accepted, many still hesitate to take time off for their mental well-being.
A mental health day acts as a way for anyone (especially students and working people) to take time for themselves to reduce stress and anxiety and step away from an overwhelming workload.
“I absolutely think that mental health days are important. I think that burnout can be real, and I think that students today run at such a fast pace…I think you have to build in time for rest.” says Jennifer Scott, teacher of Mount Pisgah’s science of well-being class.
Students today face so much pressure when it comes to balancing their work, school and social life. Most students must wake up at 7:00 a.m. every morning, go to school for seven hours, go to work or practice, then make it home to eat dinner, do homework and study for tests, all while also making time for family and friends.
Then the weekend comes, and while some are able to get a small break, others still have the responsibility of committing to a 12-hour work shift, or going to an all weekend sports tournament, or even touring a college.
“In scripture rest is mandated. The Lord tells us to take the Sabbath to rest, but I can tell you most students don’t do that on Sundays.” adds Scott.
In addition to all of this, the lingering worry about our future, whether that be where we will go to college, if we will commit to a sport, or planning SAT/ACT prep classes, is always instilled in the back of our minds.
My point is that in order to manage the busy schedule and workload that many students today have, being able to take a day of rest is very important.
I also believe that if we are able to get an excused absence for a sports event or a college visit, mental health days should also be treated with the same exclusion.
“I think mental health days are very important because it’s easy, especially as a senior, to get burnt out from schoolwork. Everybody has a lot going on in their lives, like work, sports, and family matters, so juggling it all at once sometimes becomes too much. If students had the option to take a mental health day without being penalized I think it would benefit everyone’s emotional status overall.” says Riley Altiere
What one does with a mental health day is also important. Everyone has different preferences of what brings them relaxation, rejuvenation, or joy.
“I think a spa day is always the right idea… but I also believe different people have different personalities and different needs. Some people need time to exercise and to move and to get out, some people need to be by themselves, some people need to reconnect with their family and their relationships, and so whatever it is, the way the Lord created you to nurture your soul and your spirit, I think that’s what you need to do on your mental health day.” says Scott.
