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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:

WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 09:31

I can't see any Doctor in their right mind advising someone with a bug that makes them feel sick, to try running.

AddressLabel · 10/03/2020 09:32

This is where I'm glad I have a treadmill at home!
My answer would be - it depends on how likely you are to see anyone. Also could you run in disguise? i.e. wear sunglasses and a peaked cap so if you are seen you can pretend they must have mistaken you for someone else?

BiddyPop · 10/03/2020 09:34

Can you drive somewhere a bit away from home and go for a run there where you would be less likely to be seen, and also can play some good music on the drive to also help unwind?

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Growingboys · 10/03/2020 09:37

Depends on your chances of getting caught. I love running and can see if you're feeling stressed a run will help . But it is taking the piss, so decide if you're going to get caught or not.

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/03/2020 09:39

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.

Could you not have taken annual leave?

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 10/03/2020 09:41

No, I wouldn’t. Essentially you are lying to your employer, I’m glad that I am not your line manager.

MajesticWhine · 10/03/2020 09:46

If you are not well enough to work due to mental health, you need to be honest about that with your employer. Then they can support you better.
If you have a bug don't go running. If you don't have a bug then the chances are you won't be seen.

KaptenKrusty · 10/03/2020 09:47

bahahahah @Mushypeasandchipstogo - say were all glad you're not our line manager - you sound like a horrid manager! couldn't give a shit about your staffs well being!

Paddy1234 · 10/03/2020 09:48

Go for a run!
I always tell my team to walk away and take a break whenever they need.
I need them to be mentally as well as fighting fit. Stepping away for a short period of time every so often is the best precautionary measure.
❤️

Floralnomad · 10/03/2020 09:49

If you had told your employer the truth about why you were off sick I’d say yes go for the run , but because you’ve effectively lied about ‘a bug’ I would say no .

PuppyMonkey · 10/03/2020 09:51

I do feel tired and achy, a bit sick

Could you not just rest instead? Go out and sit in garden to get some fresh air? Running might not be the best idea for you.

Kimbaland · 10/03/2020 10:01

How much do you value your job? If you get seen you will be asked the question. I don't believe in mental health days because it's too easy to say 'I can't face it today'. If you're having a mental health crisis you should be signed off by the GP

Butterwhy · 10/03/2020 10:05

No. If you were off for something not physical ie not a but MH related then absolutely, I don't believe because you are off you shouldn't leave the house if able, and it can help. But you have said you had a bug, if anyone sees you it's evident you were lying. Do some yoga in front of the telly, YouTube has some really good free workout videos.

Butterwhy · 10/03/2020 10:06

Ie not a bug but MH related*

Paddy1234 · 10/03/2020 10:07

I don't give my team mental health days - but say please take time out during the day.
We remote work and have a big remit.
I don't track there movements as none have ever let me down
❤️

GrassyGreen · 10/03/2020 10:09

To the previous posters that seem to be under the impression that you can only be off sick if you are physically unable to leave the house:

It is absolutely necessary to maintain good mental health. OP, I would have been honest with my work and said I needed a day to focus on my mental health, but I appreciate this still has a stigma attached to it.

Running is excellent for mental well-being.

Do what you need to do to feel better.

Take care.

Butterwhy · 10/03/2020 10:11

@GrassyGreen which is true, but OP told work she had a bug. Understandable as it's not always easy to admit you need some time out, and not all work places are understanding; but you can possibly see the issue with saying you have a bug and then going out for a run?

MarieQueenofScots · 10/03/2020 10:15

Of course you should especially if it is the activity that will aid your recovery.

Off sick = sitting around the house doing nothing is an extremely reductive view.

bruce43mydog · 10/03/2020 10:21

Yes go for a run no one is likely to see you in the woods anyway. And if it makes you feel better then that's going to be good when you do go back to work

QueenOfOversharing · 10/03/2020 10:27

If you'd dad you needed a MH day, then run definitely good idea. Saying "bug" then running (in case you get seen) prob not a good idea.

LolaSmiles · 10/03/2020 10:27

Off sick = sitting around the house doing nothing is an extremely reductive view.
That's very true, but if someone is claiming to be off work with a bug then resting is a reasonable expectation, not going for a run.

Plus the OP says she might have a minor bug, in which case going for a run isn't the answer either. My running club advises against going for a run if a cold is anything below the neck, so snuffles you're good to keep running, but not if it's more. Even then that's a case of 'youre fine to carry on running', not 'running will shift the cold and make you feel better'.

iVampire · 10/03/2020 10:51

I always feel heaps better for a run, so I think I understand where you are coming from

But in these circumstances I would go for a walk instead

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 10/03/2020 11:07

so basically you pulled a sickie. Up to you if you want other people to notice or not.

Original poster

ElderAve · 10/03/2020 11:11

I didn't " pull a sickie". I am sick. I told my boss exactly what my symptoms are, tired, head ache, achy and feel a bit sick. I just happen to think the cause is more likely to be things getting on top of me than a bug and that a run may help me feel better sooner.

OP posts:

SmallChickBilly · 10/03/2020 11:13

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.

Could you not have taken annual leave?

Do you take annual leave when you're ill?

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