This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.
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6 Very Good Reasons To Take A Mental Health Day

Your brain will thank you.
woman lying down on grass and reading a book.
Kohei Hara via Getty Images
woman lying down on grass and reading a book.

Reminder: You are not a robot.

Everyone gets exhausted from working too much -- and you are no exception. That's where a mental health day can come to the rescue.

Research shows that Americans rarely take time off from work, yet there are so many benefits to taking some space from the confines of your cubicle.

"You can easily get stressed in the workplace, which makes you so exasperated that you can't stand going into the office," Robert London, a New-York based psychiatrist, told The Huffington Post. "You don't really want to quit, you just need a break -- and a mental health day gives you that."

Below are a few healthy excuses to take a day off just for yourself:

1. It helps with stress.

Long hours coupled with demanding to-do lists are enough to make anyone feel exhausted. Research shows that work is one of the leading causes of stress. Workplace burnout can become a serious issue if it's not addressed properly, which is why London recommends taking a day for yourself if you're feeling overwhelmed or bogged down more than usual.

"If you consistently feel anxious or nervous when you come to work, that's a guide post for needing a mental health day," he says.

2. You can explore your own neighborhood.