What are mental health days and why do they matter?
In this blog post, we discuss mental health days, explore their benefits, and share practical tips for both employees and employers on how to incorporate them into their work lives.
29th Oct 2025
This blog will cover:
- What mental health days are and why they matter for employees and organisations
- The impact of mental health days on engagement, productivity, and retention
- Practical guidance for employees on using mental health days effectively
- How employers can introduce and normalise mental health days across their teams
- Real-world examples from companies leading the way in mental health support
It’s no surprise that mental health is at the top of most companies' agenda. Our recent Evolution of Work Report also revealed that the demand for mental health support in the workplace has increased over the past year. Currently, 34% of people express a desire for mental health resources and support in their next role. This figure represents a 7% increase from the previous year, showing that candidates are increasingly prioritising mental health as a crucial factor when looking at potential employers.
The reality is that employees face a number of stressors outside of work, such as the rising cost of living, increasing societal pressures, and personal challenges. These factors can significantly impact mental well-being, making it crucial for companies to prioritise support for their employees' mental health.
Now, more than ever, organisations recognise the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that addresses mental health challenges head-on.
One of the ways they can do this is by introducing "mental health days". But what exactly are mental health days, and why are they so important? In this blog, we'll look at the concept of mental health days, explore their benefits, and share practical tips for both employees and employers on how to incorporate them into their work lives.
What are mental health days?
Mental health days are designated days off work that employees take to prioritise their mental well-being and recharge their emotional batteries. Unlike traditional sick days, which are typically used for physical illnesses, mental health days are specifically designed to address the invisible but equally important aspects of our health – our mental and emotional states.
These days can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Taking a break from work-related stress and burnout
- Engaging in self-care activities like meditation, exercise, or hobbies
- Attending therapy sessions or counselling appointments
- Spending quality time with loved ones
- Disconnecting from technology and digital distractions
The main idea behind mental health days is that by proactively taking time off to focus on our mental well-being, we can prevent burnout, reduce stress, and ultimately become more productive and engaged employees.
The importance of mental health days in the workplace
The workplace can be a significant source of stress and mental health challenges for many employees. Long hours, tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and interpersonal conflicts can all take a toll on our mental well-being.
In light of these challenges, mental health days have become an essential tool for promoting employee well-being and preventing burnout. By encouraging employees to take time off to prioritise their mental health, organisations can:
- Reduce absenteeism and presenteeism
- Boost employee morale, engagement, and productivity
- Attract and retain top talent who value work-life balance
- Create a culture of openness, empathy, and support
- Demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being
Ultimately, investing in employee mental health is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business strategy. When employees feel supported, valued, and mentally well, they are more likely to bring their best selves to work and contribute to the organisation's success.
How to incorporate mental health days into your work life
Now that we understand the importance of mental health days, let's look at some practical tips for both employees and employers on how to incorporate them into their work lives.
For employees:
1. Communicate openly with your manager about your mental health needs
2. If possible plan your mental health days in advance and ensure adequate coverage for your responsibilities
3. Use your mental health days intentionally
4. Set boundaries and disconnect from work-related tasks and communications during your mental health days
5. Be open and honest with your manager about the impact the mental health day made. This will show how important it is to dedicate having this time off.
For employers:
1. Normalise conversations about mental health in the workplace
2. Offer a clear and supportive mental health day policy
3. Lead by example and encourage senior leaders to take mental health days
4. Share resources and benefits that support employee mental well-being, such as EAPs, therapy coverage, and mindfulness apps
5. Create a culture of empathy, flexibility, and work-life balance
By working together to prioritise mental health and incorporate mental health days into the workplace, employees and employers can create a more resilient, productive, and fulfilling work environment for all.
A powerful tool for promoting employee well-being
As the conversation around mental health in the workplace continues to evolve, it's clear that mental health days are here to stay. In fact, many of our forward-thinking flexa verified companies such as TUI Group, Boomi and Tangle Teezer are already taking steps to normalise and encourage the use of mental health days.
Some companies have even gone a step further, offering "mental health weeks" or "wellness sabbaticals" – extended periods of paid time off specifically designed for employees to focus on their mental well-being.
As we move into the future of work, it's important that companies continue to prioritise employee mental health and explore innovative ways to support their workforce. By doing so, they not only create a more compassionate and resilient workplace but also contribute to a broader societal shift towards greater mental health awareness and acceptance.
Mental health days are a powerful tool for promoting employee well-being, preventing burnout, and creating a culture of empathy and support in the workplace. By understanding the importance of mental health days and taking steps to incorporate them into our work lives, we can create a more resilient, productive, and fulfilling future of work.
Companies are leading the way with mental health days
"At Tangle Teezer, every team member has two mental health days a year to use whenever they need time to rest, reset, or take care of their wellbeing. We encourage people to use them proactively rather than waiting until they’re overwhelmed, and managers actively support this by normalising conversations around mental health.
We’ve seen a clear impact, team members return more energised, engaged, and appreciative of the flexibility. Beyond the individual benefit, it reinforces a culture where wellbeing is genuinely valued, not just talked about.
For companies looking to introduce similar initiatives, the key is to go beyond the policy itself. Keep it simple but embed it into the culture. When managers role-model taking mental health days, it shifts the perception from “time off” to “time invested,” showing that protecting mental wellbeing is not just acceptable but expected. That mindset shift is where the real impact happens."
FAQs about mental health days at work
1. What is a mental health day and how is it different from a sick day?
A mental health day is time taken off work to rest, recharge, and focus on emotional well-being. Unlike a traditional sick day, which is usually used for physical illness, a mental health day recognises that psychological strain and burnout also impact health and performance — and should be treated with equal importance.
2. Why should companies offer mental health days to employees?
Offering mental health days demonstrates that a company values its people beyond their output. It helps reduce burnout, improve retention, and create a culture of trust and openness. Employees who feel supported in managing stress are more engaged, productive, and loyal to their employer.
3. How can HR or People Leaders introduce mental health days effectively?
Start with a clear, simple policy that encourages everyone to take time for mental well-being without stigma. Train managers to role-model behaviour and normalise conversations about mental health. It’s also crucial to integrate this with other benefits like EAPs, flexible working, and wellbeing allowances for the biggest impact.
4. How can employees use mental health days in a meaningful way?
Employees should treat mental health days as intentional time to reset — whether that means resting, doing something restorative, attending therapy, or spending time with loved ones. The goal isn’t to “catch up” on personal admin, but to genuinely recover and come back feeling balanced and focused.
5. What are some examples of companies offering mental health days?
Forward-thinking organisations like Tangle Teezer, TUI Group, and Boomi have introduced dedicated mental health days to normalise rest and proactive self-care. Some even go further with wellness sabbaticals or mental health weeks, helping to embed wellbeing into company culture rather than treating it as an occasional perk.