Mental Health Day

[Mishellee99]

Hey everyone! I think I'm ready to finally use a sick day for a mental health day just so I can unwind. I'm going to take it tomorrow and tell the principal that I won't be in tomorrow after school today, that way he has plenty of time to find a sub for me. I'm just getting so stressed out, and haven't had to use a sick day since the day after MLK day when I had the flu. Do you think as a first year teacher it's a good idea to take a mental health day?

 

[mdm]

One mental health day...

... is supposed to help prevent burnout for 6 more weeks. Go for it! Those are your sick days. Use them as you see fit.

 

[MPage]

Go for it!

I have one planned for March 10th .
I wish I had done that my first year of teaching. I was too afraid to miss for anything..lol I did manage to take off when I was sick my 2nd year. Now, my 3rd year, I have learned that if I don't take care of myself physically AND MENTALLY I will not be a good teacher.

 

[dkd1173]

Yes, do it!

It is totally OK to take a mental health day, first year teacher or not. I have definitely learned this over the years! It will make such a difference in your outlook. I take 1-2 MH days per quarter. We as teachers have to rest and recharge our batteries too!

 

[Mishellee99]

I'm Taking It

I decided I'm going to take that mental health day tomorrow. I just feel so burned out with things and figured taking a day for myself to relax is definitely a good thing. Thanks for the advice, and I will definitely tell you how it went.

 

[teacher4]

Please Take It

Yes, take off and get some rest! We all need a mental health day.

 

[HoosierGal]

mental health day?

I am also a first year teacher and have taken a mental health day once this year (but I also had a DRs appointment). I felt really guilty about missing school and felt like I lied to the admin. I also feel really stressed and overwhelmed. How can I ask for a "sick day" without feeling guilty? Any good "excuses"?

 

[teacher4]

Stress

Stress affects you physically. Are you having headaches or body aches. Just say you are not feeling well.

 

[tish]

Not guilty here!

I am taking a mental health day on Monday.I have not been absent all year so I feel that I deserve this day. My sister lives about an hour away and I am going up to Pittsburgh to surprise her and take her out to breakfast. I already told my students that I have an all day meeting to attend for they would be worried if I did not show up.I have prompted them on how to behave for the Guest teacher and plans are out on the desk. I feel like a free bird this weekend and to feel guilty about this for ruin my plans. we all need to take a break every once in awhile. I have been teaching for 35 years and have acculumated over 342 sick days so using one of them does not make me feel guilty at all. Gee, really I could take off the rest of the year and still have plenty of days left.

 

[Mishellee99]

Definitely Going to Take More of Those!

Hey everyone again! I just wanted to let everyone know how my mental health day was. It was great. I went to see my boyfriend and he had taken me to breakfast and also we went shopping. I am definitely going to take some more towards the end of the school year. I think we can all use a mental health day every now and then.