Dealing with arthritis pain is enough to ruin your day, so you don’t need some drama queens at your job trying to stir up trouble.
When I was in the workforce, there were days that were so stressful I was about to snap. I worked the phones for a large insurance company, and guess who was often on the other end of the line? That’s right, customers who were irate about their insurance premiums, and it was my job to calm them down and resolve the problem.
After hanging up, irritable co-workers would jump down my throat about how I handled the customers, and things went from bad to worse. I couldn’t wait until the day was over.
I definitely needed a mental health day where I could just take off work, do something fun, and try to forget what a bitchy office I worked in. According to workplace help expert Brandon Smith, “there are four signs that you need a mental health day.”
You Can’t Sleep
It’s not always possible to leave your problems at the office, and you may find yourself stewing over a work problem to the point that at bedtime you’re tossing and turning, and can’t fall asleep. If you do fall asleep, you may wake up in the wee hours of the morning with your mind still racing.
“Sleep and stress are competitors,” said American Academy of Sleep Medicine spokesperson Dr. Ralph Downey III. “When stress is continually activating a part of the brain that is otherwise used for sleep, then stress wins the tug-of-war.”
You Have a Bad Attitude
I remember when I would get multiple rude customers, I developed a bad attitude and wasn’t as worried about giving the right information. I even entertained the thought that I might be fired, and then I could find a less stressful job.
You’re Cranky with Friends and Family
This one is always a catch-22 because you may feel you can’t blow up at your boss, but taking your frustrations out on your friends and family doesn’t solve your work problems.
Activities that you used to enjoy are not fun anymore if you’re constantly thinking about what is going on at work.
You’re Stressed About Past Problems
It was hard for me to shake off the rude callers, and I would still be stressing over what happened a week ago. Very few of my calls were from people who were praising the company, and it seemed like I never could take a break from all the complaints.
Final Thoughts
Don’t feel guilty about taking a mental health day. If you’re sick you take off to go to the doctor and take care of yourself. This is especially important when you’re trying to deal with arthritis pain.
Your mind also deserves a rest. Listen to music, exercise, shop, hang out with friends, or just relax with a good book. You’ll be in a much better frame of mind when you return to work.
