Fatigue, burnout, exhaustion … whatever you call it, it happens to all of us at one time or another.

However much you love your job, you can’t maintain an above-and-beyond performance at all times. Eventually, you’ll need to slow down and take a break for the sake of your physical and mental health.

Is it that time for you? Here are some signs you need to take a mental health day:

1. Irritability or impatience with coworkers

Everyone gets annoyed or moody sometimes, but too much stress can make you struggle just to stay calm and courteous. Help absence make the heart grow fonder by taking a mental health break from work and your coworkers.

2. Difficulty concentrating

The human brain can only focus on one thing for any amount of time. If can’t seem to stay on task and keep track of your work, a day off can help reset your brain and improve your focus.

3. Difficulty sleeping

High levels of stress can cause insomnia and lack of sleep. This can create a vicious cycle of fatigue, increased anxiety, and even worse sleep. If work-related stress is interfering with a good night’s rest, a day off might be necessary.

4. Taking work home

This applies mentally and emotionally as well as physically. If you can’t stop talking or thinking about work, even at home or with friends, it might be time for a short break.

Not sure HOW to take a mental health day? We’ll cover that next time, so stay tuned!

If you already know you’re stressed and overworked, it may be time to find outside help. And if you struggle to keep up with your writing needs at work, let’s talk! Feel free to send me an email or visit my website at emjwriter.com to learn more.

As always, thanks for reading. If you find this post helpful, I’d appreciate if you shared it.