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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:
Whoopsmahoot · 10/03/2020 11:26

No. If you were signed off with MH issues then definitely yes. But you've said its a bug. Go for a walk in the woods instead but don't run. Not worth the risk or the worry.

namechangedforthis1122 · 10/03/2020 11:27

@AnneLovesGilbert ny at the time I needed it, that would of had to of been booked and approved in advance

namechangedforthis1122 · 10/03/2020 11:29

*not

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MarieQueenofScots · 10/03/2020 11:30

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

I think my only expectation as a manager is if someone is off sick, they do what they need to to get better!

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'

I guess OP is more in a place than anyone to know whether a run will improve how she's feeling. I know when I'm completely stuffed up with sinus issues to the point of sitting indoors being impossible, a long vigorous walk helps me no end.

Bringringbring12 · 10/03/2020 11:33

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

This made me chuckle. Trying to convince yourself!

friendineed · 10/03/2020 11:34

No. If you've said you have a bug then the risk of being seen running is too high. If it was for anxiety then not unreasonable.

madcatladyforever · 10/03/2020 11:34

You realise if you are seen you will be disciplined. I would not be impressed seeing a colleague off sick and out running.
If you had said it was your mental health that would be different but you said you had a bug.

Bringringbring12 · 10/03/2020 11:38

* This is where I'm glad I have a treadmill at home!*

Almost incomparable

I’m a runner. Running outside - heaven
Running inside on a treadmill... shudder

Sirzy · 10/03/2020 11:38

With the symptoms you have told work then you would be unreasonable to go to run because if those Symptoms are bad enough you can’t work they are bad enough you can’t run.

I am a runner and I get the benefits of running for mental health but you aren’t off with mental health hour off with a physical issue which can’t be that bad if your contemplating an hours run yet still need a few days off?

WindFlower92 · 10/03/2020 11:43

Will you go in tomorrow?

BabbleBee · 10/03/2020 11:45

I would. The amount of times I’ve felt like I’m coming down with something, gone for a gentle run and then felt better for it...

Hoggleludo · 10/03/2020 11:50

I wouldn't

Purely because you've told work you are off with a bug....had you told them you were off for a mental health day. Then sure!!!!

Next time be honest

AnotherMurkyDay · 10/03/2020 11:54

I wouldn't go for a run but I would go for a walk in nature. Unless your contagious a convalescent walk seems entirely appropriate.

AnotherMurkyDay · 10/03/2020 11:55

If you were off sick because of stress, mental health, etc. Then yeah. Run. But because you've said it's a bug stick to that (and try and be honest in future!).

Hoggleludo · 10/03/2020 11:56

Also. Bit tired. Bit achy.

Is that really worth a sick day?

As a mother it's like that everyday for me!

PersephoneandHades · 10/03/2020 12:19

Everyone saying that if the OP can run she can work please keep your damaging opinions about MH not being relevant/important to yourself.

Sirzy · 10/03/2020 12:20

But what she had told has nothing to do with mental health. Infact she listed a long list of physical reasons she had told work she couldn’t work!

eaglebay · 10/03/2020 12:22

So I am actually at home with a sickness bug. Haven't left the bed yet. My entire body aches from vomiting. No way could I go for an hours run in the woods!!

eaglebay · 10/03/2020 12:23

If you need a Mental Health Day, book a days leave?

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 10/03/2020 12:27

It's going to be lovely if every worker can now claim a "MH day" every time they feel a bit under the weather, haven't slept well, or have a bit of a headache.

Not sure how well that will work out as a whole, and how happy people will be when kids are sent back home from school or trains don't run, but hey ho. Sounds blissful for some of us.

Geepipe · 10/03/2020 12:44

What a sick world we live in where your expected to work work work until you physically cant anymore in industries that really dont matter to life, and normal healthy human/nature things that make the body and mind better are seen as taking the piss.

HolyChickpea · 10/03/2020 12:45

I'd go for the run if it's what you need, but tell your manager the truth when you go back to work. Maybe "actually I dont think it was a bug, I was just feeling burnt out but the rest and some exercise helped".
I called in sick last year when I was stressed with my workload and felt depressed and anxious. I told them I had a migraine but actually I was just really sad so I took the day off sick. I was honest with my boss when I went back and said I had too much on my plate.
I think some of these comments are too harsh. Be kind.

Floralnomad · 10/03/2020 12:47

Surely the point is if you feel mentally unwell then that’s what you tell your employer it’s just as valid as being physically unwell .

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/03/2020 13:10

What a sick world we live in where your expected to work work work until you physically cant anymore in industries that really dont matter to life, and normal healthy human/nature things that make the body and mind better are seen as taking the piss.

Good job that’s not what’s happening here then isn’t it? OP didn’t feel up for work, called in sick, will presumably be paid and doesn’t say she got any grief from her employer. So she’s not in her workplace either spreading germs or exacerbating a mental health slump. She’s posting on a forum, relaxing at home aka considering a run.

Geepipe · 10/03/2020 13:13

AnneLovesGilbert yes thats what the op is doing. What does that matter? Look at all the responses. A majority of the responses think the opposite of what i just said. A majority think its taking the piss to need time off after burn out. Especially if it involves going out and doing soething natural and dare say enjoyable.