Have you ever felt nervous or afraid to take time off from work to look after your mental health?
Marisa Kabas, a writer and political strategist, recently posed a similar question on Twitter (推特网), inspired by Simone Biles, who stopped taking part in Olympic events this week to protect her mental health.
“It was so shocking to so many people,” Ms. Kabas said on Wednesday in an interview. “Because the whole mentality (心态, 思维方式) is to be strong, and push through the pain.”
If you’re unlikely to use sick days for mental health reasons or are scared of being punished for doing so, I experts say it’s time to start thinking about how to protect your mental well-being. You should take a “sad day”.
There’s no official definition for a “sad day,” also known as a mental health day. Typically, it is paid time off drawn from sick days(or personal days) to help employees who aren’t feeling like their usual selves, offering an opportunity to refresh their minds, do something meaningful; or simply take a break from daily stressors. The “sad day” is only a temporary (暂时的) fix, and not meant to address deeper problems, but sometimes a little time away can make a big difference.
In most situations, just say that you need to take a sick day, and leave it at that, the experts advised. “I think the safe advice is not to be honest and frank,” said Andrew Kuller, a clinical psychologist. Not everybody values mental health, he added, and “unless you’re close with your boss, it is a risk. But say you work at the type of organization where you can tell the truth without fear of being punished. In that case, you still don’t need to reveal why you want to take a sick day.”
Whatever you do, don t spend the mental health day feeling guilty. So instead of thinking, “I should be at work right now, try to reframe your thinking in a more positive way. For example, try saying: “It would be great; if I could be at work right now. But today is a day that I need to take care of myself, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
12. Why were so many people shocked in the eyes of Ms. Kabas?
A.Simone Biles posed questions on Twitter. |
B.Simone Biles was interviewed by Ms. Kabas. |
C.Simone Biles inspired sports fans greatly in the Olympics. |
D.Simone Biles pulled out of Olympic events due to mental health. |
13. What can we know about a “sad day”?
A.It is only short-term relief. |
B.It has an official definition. |
C.It is of no value in reducing stress. |
D.It is a perfect solution to big problems. |
14. What are you advised to do in Paragraph 6?
A.Face punishment bravely. |
B.Try your best to please your boss. |
C.Ask for a sick day without much explanation. |
D.Tell your boss about the importance of mental health. |
15. Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.Don’t be too serious about a “sad day” |
B.When work weighs you down, take a “sad day” |
C.Don’t be afraid to talk about your mental health |
D.When you feel burnt out, tell your manager openly |