5 signs you need to take some time off from work

A hysterical call from an irate customer was all it took to break Kate* down. Tears came running down her face before she even hung up the phone. She quickly jetted off to the ladies room to calm down and fix herself up. The past few days have been particularly unkind to her"”work has been tougher than usual and it has left her prone to panic attacks and crying spells.

Experts say Kate is due for a mental health day off from work and that she should take one sooner rather later.

"If you're feeling fatigued, feeling low on motivation, having difficulty sleeping, getting palpitations or feeling anxiety, or noticing that you're irritable and your relationships are feeling more challenged"”those are all signs of stress," says Dr. Adam Perlman who is the executive director for Duke Integrative Medicine.

It may sound counterproductive but taking time off from work when your tasks have become too overwhelming will serve you better in the long run. By allowing yourself to replenish your energy as well as relax your tired body and mind, you are essentially giving yourself the chance to become a more effective employee.

Don't worry about looking like a slacker if you take some time off to just rest at home "” a survey conducted by ComPsych, a provider of employee assistance programs, revealed that 82% of employees admit to taking mental health days to recharge themselves.

If you decide to go and take a day or two off from work, remember to plan ahead of time and schedule your leave a week in advance. Choose your timing well"”make sure your co-workers and boss won't feel too burdened by your absence (e.g.If you must take a break, pick a time where there's not a lot of work to be done or schedule it just before a big project).

Still wondering whether to take a mental health day? If you're feeling the following symptoms thenyou musttake some time off from work ASAP:

You have a hard time sleeping even if you're exhausted

Sleep should come easy when you're tired, right? Not when your mind is filled to the brim with deadlines, reports and meetings. You need to take the doctor-recommended 8-9 hours of sleep each day to feel fully recharged, or be ready to face some serious consequences. Sleep deprivation can over time develop to illnesses and affects one's alertness and mental performance. If stressing out over work causes you to lose sleep at night, some time away from the office may be in order.

Your work's quality starts to suffer

When you begin to turn in some lackluster results, perhaps it's time to slow things down and take a day off or two. It's hard to come up with something great if your mind is a mess, so take a break if you can. Your time off may just be what you need to bring back your great, amazing self.

You can't remember the last time you did anything for fun

Whether it's traveling, shopping or going to the movies, the concept of having fun seems to have slipped your mind. On those rare days when your friends were able to drag you out of the office, your thoughts seem to be still stuck at work and thinking how much time you have left before you can get back to it. Striking a good balance between your personal and professional lives is the key to stay stress-free, so make time for your hobbies and loved ones as much as possible. Don't make your life revolve around work!

You lose your temper way too easily

When even the most mundane things set you off in a rage, it's time to take a step back and reel in your emotions. Stress can trigger pent-up emotions that can pop up in the worst times. Avoid conflict by removing yourself from whatever triggers your stress"”if that stressor is your work then better file those leaves now before you find yourself getting snippy at your co-workers or worse, your boss!

You're just going through the motions at work

Losing interest or motivation to do your job may be the start of something more serious - one that may require you to look at where you are and where your career is headed. Feeling bored at work is normal but long-term apathy is a cause for concern. We recommend taking some time off and doing some soul-searching.

*name withheld upon request

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