We’ve all been there at least once, and come to think of it, it’s actually rather unfortunate that many of us don’t know when to call sick, because of this strange, unwritten rule that we should just as they say ‘suck it up” and power through the day, no matter what’s going on.

This way of thinking though is completely ridiculous, but it also puts your health at risk. And sorry, but not sorry, no meeting or project is worth your health.

As someone that understands the anxiety that comes with calling sick, I know that the mere thought of just calling can make us even more sick, both physically and mentally, even if we know one thousand a ten percent that we wouldn’t be able to work, even from bed.

Never forget that you work to live, and not the other way around. Health always must come first.  This doesn’t seem to match up however with the status quo. According to data, one in five American below the age of 45 took no sick days in 2017. Those who did used them very sparingly.  Of course some people get more sick than others, but even if you’re having an off day mentally you should still utilize the sick day given to you.

The problem is not even that you don’t know when something in your body is off, but rather that you never think you’re deserving enough or sick enough to deserve a day of rest and relaxation.