Off sick, dare I go for a run?

[ElderAve]

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.

Many work contracts are for 40 hours a week, 5 days a week , plus paid annual leave and possible unpaid annual leave. And people are free to leave their job at any time really.

there's plenty of time to go for an enjoyable hobby, it's not what your paid working hours are for.

You’re not likely to be seen are you?

If you deciding to go for a run
Maybe you should be at work

Mental health days shouldn't come out of annual leave. No wonder the MH of this country is shot to shit if that attitude is still lurking.

I've gone out running when I'm off with IBS. Usually resolves the problem pretty fast.

Avoid the running club, but go for the gentle run in the woods.

Running with cold-type symptoms can be and miss. Sometimes you feel drained. Sometimes the fresh air and boost to your circulation helps to shift the feeling of the symptoms. Generally getting out there even if the run was rubbish is still better than staying in.

If you are run down, better to do what you can to get back to normal.

Mental health days shouldn't come out of annual leave.

many workers only have statutory sick pay when they are ill, why do you think Mental health day should be treated as added paid annual leave instead?

The op says she’s crashed and burned. So made the right decision to stay home. A run will improves things. So go for it imo.

If you’d golds them it was a mh day then yes. But they think you have a bug so no.

Told them

Have a day at home today, early night tonight and then get up early and go for a run before work tomorrow.

Seriously, don’t go out for a run if you’ve told work you’re off with a bug.

Also, I find there’s a fine line between exercise being good for mental health and needing to exercise because you feel bad/guilt if you don’t.

If you had told them that you were off sick due to stress/MH etc then I'd say definitely go for a run. Given that you've told them you've got a bug (and I can understand why you did that) I would be careful and only go if you're sure you won't be caught out.

Hope you feel better soon.

I would drive half an hour to a different location and run there. It’s rubbish to suggest you are well enough to work because you can run.

If you've needed days off to chill and go running you really should have taken it as annual leave.

There's nothing wrong with taking a day or two off for mh.
If running is medicine for you then take it as you would any other meds.
It's better than having 3 weeks off later down the line because you didn't listen to your body/mind when it was warning you to slow down and you'll be better for it at work when you return.