Why Taking Wellness Days at Work will Change Your Life
Let’s face it. In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, it's easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities. One aspect that often falls by the wayside is our own wellbeing. However we cannot be effective at work nor happy as individuals if our wellbeing is compromised. Our mental, physical and emotional health must be maintained and optimized in order for us to be at our highest level. Incorporating occasional wellness days into our work routine can lead to improved overall job satisfaction, enhanced performance, and a better work-life balance.
Imagine a scene where an individual is tirelessly juggling between work demands, meetings, emails, and projects, barely leaving time for a breather. This is the reality for far too many workers. Many find it difficult to engage in self-care because they are so bogged down by the demands of work. Unfortunately this often leads to burnout and prior to that exhaustion, irritability, and a decline in energy. This is not sustainable or enjoyable and should be an indicator that something has to change.
We need to reevaluate our approach to work and wellness. For several years I have implemented a practice where I take occasional wellness days. These are not sick days, but rather days I use when I notice my wellbeing is being compromised and I am starting to feel overwhelmed, exhausted or generally unwell. These days provide me a chance to hit the pause button, rest, reset, and rejuvenate. They serve as a preventive measure against burnout, allowing me to return to work with renewed energy and vitality. They provide the boost and recharge I need to maintain my wellbeing.
I notice that when I do not take an occasional wellness day, my body wears down and I am then forced to take several sick days which keeps me out of work longer. As well, my work becomes compromised as I don’t have the same mental focus, energy and positive mood. An occasional wellness day actually reduced my sick days and increased my wellbeing. I have seen some people use wellness days for joyful activities and others use it to rest. It’s important to listen to your body, both internally and externally, honour its needs and choose what would support its wellness at that time.
The benefits of incorporating wellness days extend beyond the individual to the workplace itself. When employees are well-rested and mentally balanced, their creativity flourishes, problem-solving skills sharpen, and interpersonal relationships thrive. In fact, research has shown that organizations that prioritize employee well-being experience lower turnover rates and increased employee engagement, resulting in a more positive and productive work environment. I recently heard one employer, Paul Taylor, who shared he intentionally offers his employees wellness days separate from sick days and encourages employees to use them. Amazing!
Wellness days are something I would encourage you to try for yourself and see if it brings you more joy, rest, and balance. Look for strategic and intentional ways to support your wellbeing and share your concerns and ideas with your employer. Hopefully, together you create opportunities that favour employee wellbeing and establish a work culture that cares about the wellbeing of its employees. A well-rested and rejuvenated individual is not just an asset to themselves but also to their team and their organization as a whole.
