A Mental Health Day

A friend of mine just told me he is not going to work today. He is not sick. He is taking a “mental health day.” Over the years. I have learned what this really means. Calling off work on a Monday is to get things done that should’ve been finished over the weekend. Any other day of the week, a mental health day means avoiding problems at work, addressing problems at home, or, if the spouse also the day off… Well, that is really none of my business.

When I used to work for the Department of Mental Health, I could never get away with calling in a “mental health day.” My boss would say, “You cannot find more ‘mental health’ than right here at work.” I was forced to call in with a fake symptom. One that was mild enough to not worry coworkers, yet severe enough that everybody would think  I might be contagious. The symptom would magically disappear the next day when I returned to work and reported, “It was just allergies.”

Now, I am diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Technically, every day is a sick day. I’m retired and my own boss. Most days I do not feel sick and I go about my routine. Sure, I shake a lot, yet I am still productive around the house or “out and about.” I know that going back to work full-time would create unneeded stress that could make my symptoms worse. There are also days I wake up ready to take on the world‘s problems and really get things done. Big things like driving an hour to body surf at the beach or hiking the trail that has a steep incline. Those days I go about my day with strength, dignity, and confidence in my abilities. I am tempted to go back to work on these days. Instead, I tell my boss, “I’m sick of routine, and I am going to take a ‘Healthy Day.’”

Oh, and before you go there in your mind, my friend’s wife did not take the day off!

Mt. Saint Helens © 2021 Steve Steinberg