Anybody with a job is looking forward to their next vacation day, and that is because work life takes a toll on us. Millions of companies all over the world adopt mental health days for that reason. Work is stressful, and work stress increases the amount of anxiety a worker feels in their lives overall.
When that anxiety becomes prolonged, mental health will suffer. The worker is now more at risk of other mental health challenges, and might even be losing their job. You are not alone. That is the largest reason why work breaks are so important, and why they are mandated in the labor code.
When you are feeling like work is too much, or you are thinking about that next vacation day more than usual, it’s time to start seriously considering a break from work. You may need to book a vacation, or consider an extended leave to take a break from work that will promote healing. Use Area Guides for more information on the place you want to visit.
That is happening now with millions of Americans. You are permitted to take a break from work, and if your health is suffering, then you should seriously consider it. Learn more about the many benefits of taking a break from work right here.
Mental Health Benefits of Daily Work Breaks
When you are at work, it is required by law that you take a certain number of minutes off during your work day. The general rule is two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch is the standard during the work break.
The reason these breaks are mandated is because working straight for many hours in a row has a negative impact on mental health. You get stressed, feel pressured, and may even be sad or anxious about work and life if you can’t get a break. Your work product suffers as well.
Taking these breaks puts some relaxation into your day and decreases the amount of stress that your overall mind and body is feeling during the work day. You give your entire system a reboot when you step away from the work station for a few minutes. By the time you get back to your desk or work space, no matter what is going on, you just feel better.
Home Life is Better After Breaks From Work
When you leave work stressed out and anxious because it feels like you’ve been grinding all day, there is a greater chance that your home life will suffer as well.
Not everybody has an amazing support system to walk in the door to, and your home life can suffer if you haven’t taken enough breaks or rebooted enough during the day at work.
Home life is better when you have had those breaks. When home life is awful, your mental health is negatively impacted. Your anxiety will be high and your risk of depression is high.
The same concept applies with vacation time, and many companies today will not allow you to not take your vacation time. That is because they need you to be a productive employee, and vacation time increases that probability.
Taking a break from work during the day, and for an extended period, improves your home life and your work life balance. When you don’t have that, your mental health suffers. Taking extended breaks from work helps your home life, which helps to keep your mental health balanced.
Good Health Means Good Mental Health
When your overall health is good, then your mental health has a chance at being in good shape as well. If you have any problems with your health or wellness, then you are going to be sad and stressed about this.
Taking a break from work, throughout the day and also on an extended leave, helps your body recover from the stress of daily work. Your body needs that time.
Extended breaks from work such as through vacation time or a leave help your body to regenerate what it needs to stay healthy. You get better sleep, which in itself is a significant booster to your overall mental health.
More sleep means less anxiety, and countless studies have shown the positive impacts that better sleep has on job performance and even job enjoyment. You can accomplish these health benefits by making sure you take the breaks that are available to you through your job.
Take a Break From Work
If you are feeling so much stress from work that it is encroaching on your entire life, and you are thinking too much about your next vacation day, then it is time to take a break from work.
You may need to use your daily breaks more effectively, or, you may need an extended leave. There’s nothing wrong with asking for some time off, you’re entitled to it. You need it. Your body needs it. Your brain needs it. And your mental health needs it.
Take a break from work, and realize how much happier you feel as a human. When you get back to work, your productivity will soar, and you can start feeling more productive in your life again.
