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Original poster

Off sick, dare I go for a run?

89 replies

ElderAve · 10/03/2020 08:40

I've basically crashed and burned. I've told work I need a couple of days to get over "a bug" and I do feel tired and achy, a bit sick but I think I'm really having a "mental health day".

The best way to pick myself up when I feel like this is to go for a run. I usually run with a club Tues eve but there are colleagues there, I can't do that. Would it be very wrong to go for an hour in the woods this afternoon? An hour of gentle running in nature is probably just what the doctor ordered but obviously if I were seen it wouldn't look good.

Plus it's possible I do have a minor bug causing the symptoms.

OP posts:

Lalallama · 10/03/2020 08:43

I would. Running often makes me feel physically better as well as mentally so it might help with the bug as well.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 10/03/2020 08:43

No you shouldnt do that, if you are well enough to run you are well enough to work. It is taking the piss. I went to running club one eve and a work colleague off sick was there

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/03/2020 08:44

Go for it. Just try not to be seen.

Hope it helps and you feel better soon.

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MerryGrinchmas1 · 10/03/2020 08:45

Look after your mental health as well as your physical health.
If a run is going to help then go for it!

ShatnersWig · 10/03/2020 08:46

You're either off sick or you're not.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 10/03/2020 08:46

No I wouldn't because if you're seen it will not go down well.

If you feel exercise will do you good could you not do a home exercise workout from a YouTube tutorial or something?

Also, if you have a bug it could make you feel worse/delay your recovery

caffeinefix · 10/03/2020 08:46

If you're well enough to go for a run, you're well enough to be in work.

Schmoozer · 10/03/2020 08:47

Risky because of views such as a pp that says if you are well enough to run, you are well enough to work ! Mental health and ongoing misunderstandings !!!
I’d say go running, it’s your medicine.

Nearlyadoctor · 10/03/2020 08:47

I personally wouldn’t, if you’re fit enough to go out for a run you can go to work. A gentle stroll for some fresh air possibly.

LolaSmiles · 10/03/2020 08:48

I wouldn't. You've said you're off with a bug and having a bug doesn't mean going for a run.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 10/03/2020 08:49

Also meant to add to my post ....you've already told work that you have a bug.

If you're spotted running now you can't then suddenly say "actually it wasn't a bug, it was a MH day" without it looking bad.

Selfsettling3 · 10/03/2020 08:49

I wouldn’t if you have told them you’re off with a big. If you had told them the truth then going for a run would be fine.

MySonIsAlsoNamedBort · 10/03/2020 08:49

I don't agree with People saying if you're well enough to run you're well enough to work. Like you said, you feel it is a mental health day more than anything. Being physically well but mentally unable to work is a legitimate reason.

ShatnersWig · 10/03/2020 08:50

Schmoozer But she's told work she is getting over a bug. That's a physical thing, not a mental one.

MySonIsAlsoNamedBort · 10/03/2020 08:50

That being said you've told them you're physically unwell so I wouldn't risk being seen, if you have somewhere you can go where you won't I say do it!

Tootletum · 10/03/2020 08:52

Wouldn't risk it. If you're seen then in theory it's fraud and you can get sacked - not judging I just mean it's hard to justify if you're being paid sick pay. If you can find somewhere with no chance of being seen go for it. Or just do a circuit routine in your garden!

megletthesecond · 10/03/2020 08:55

Yes go. But admit your MH was wobbly.
I've been off when I'm feeling crushed and gone for a run.

starfishmummy · 10/03/2020 08:55

I wouldn't. But then I once got interrogated because the office busybody mentioned in my managers hearing that she had seen me shopping.
What she had failed to mention was that we met in the pharmacy next door to my doctors surgery - where I had gone to get a prescription filled.

namechangedforthis1122 · 10/03/2020 08:56

I am on maternity leave now but when I was working I would sometimes call in sick with a fake illness, when really it was a mental health issue. I would go to the gym, because I don't work locally.

I feel lots of people don't understand this. But it was really important to my wellbeing that I had that day to get myself better mentally.

(I do have a job that isn't important though and they could very easily manage without me. So much so that they haven't even got maternity cover lol )

Sheusedtobesomeonelse · 10/03/2020 09:03

I feel your (mental) pain and would - and have totally done this before. I spoke to my dr about this as i didnt want to do something i shouldn't and he agreed with me that it is just as important as taking the right pills, just not to over do it though.
Fresh air and the fatigue from a run really pep you up in a way no medcine can. IMO people saying if you're good enough for a run then good enough for work.. have not necessarily suffered from MH issues themselves.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 10/03/2020 09:04

I wouldn’t but only because you’ve told them you have a bug.

It’s a bit catch-22 I understand why you’ve felt the need to tell them you have a bug but once you’ve done it you can’t really do the things you might need to do to get better.

Beaniebeemer · 10/03/2020 09:28

What’s the chances of you seeing someone from work?

Wolfiefan · 10/03/2020 09:30

You said you had a bug. So no.
If you had been honest about it being MH then yes.

caulkheaded · 10/03/2020 09:30

I would. I was off with MH years ago and did things like running, seeing friends etc because without that it would have taken me a lot longer to recover.

northernlittledonkey · 10/03/2020 09:31

Can you go for a brisk walk instead?

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