Feeling guilty when taking a day off... How to properly let yourself rest on days you think you might be 'playing hooky'

Hello, this is Satsuki!

“I felt so terrible today that I just couldn't bring myself to go to work...”
“My body and mind were at their limit, and I couldn't help it, but I feel so much self-loathing as if I just played hooky...”

Are you feeling like that?
But that might not be 'laziness,' but rather a 'proper signal'.

This time, I will talk gently abouthow to accept the guilt you feel when you take a day off from work, and how you can properly rest your mind and body, while also incorporating a scientific perspective.

Playing hooky might just be your own assumption

In Japan, there is a culture where it is easy to feel that 'taking a break = a bad thing.' But originally, resting is a necessary act for living.

Even in a 2019 survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,many people answered that the trigger for depression or overwork was 'continuing to work while pushing myself'that.

Your body won't move, your head won't work, your feelings are heavy.
These are not your will, but an **SOS from your mind and body saying 'I can't do this anymore.'**

Continuing to work while ignoring that voice is actually much riskier.

The more guilt you feel, the more serious and hardworking you are

“Everyone else is working hard, but I'm the only one who took a break”
“I feel like I'm causing trouble for someone”

Thinking that way is proof that you are likely serious and hardworking on a daily basis.However,

However,the people who truly achieve results know the importance of letting themselves rest.

Even in research from Harvard University,results have shown that 'people who take sufficient rest have higher productivity'has emerged.

In other words, 'properly resting' is not slacking off, but 'preparation for doing good work.'

To properly rest your mind and body

Even if you take a day off from work, if your head is full of guilt, you will actually get more tired, right?
From here on, I will introduce tips to make your day off a proper 'time for recovery.'

1. Label it as a 'treatment day'

Try thinking of the day you took off not as a 'day off,' but as a 'treatment day.'
Instead of thinking 'it's not a big deal because I didn't go to the hospital,'accept it as a day where your heart is quietly recuperating.

2. Dare to make time to 'do nothing'

If you keep looking at your smartphone or feel anxious that you need to be doing something, your brain stays in a state of constant activity.
Even if it's just for 10 minutes, try to take some time to zone out, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing.

3. Don't compare yourself to others

Are you looking at someone's social media and blaming yourself, thinking, 'That person is working so hard'?
Someone else's pace has nothing to do with your life.
Right now, your only important job is to 'get yourself back in balance'.

Taking care of yourself also leads to better work performance

A state where your mind and body are healthy is the foundation for doing good work.

Even if you continue to work long hours, your brain's concentration and judgment will steadily decline.
Conversely, there is data showing that people who get proper sleep and rest can demonstrate high performance even in a short amount of time.

In other words, you, who can judge that 'now is the time to rest,' are already someone who possesses the power to face yourself.
Please value that choice.

Finally

Even if you feel guilty on a day you take off, please don't blame yourself too much for it.
I want you to say one thing to yourself in your heart: 'It was necessary for me to rest right now.'

Once you can do that, you will be able to be kinder to yourself little by little, and your energy for tomorrow will return.

May your 'ability to rest well' surely lead to your next good step forward.