What is it ok to do when you are 'signed off' sick from work?

[Perplexing]

I am worried to leave the house. I have been signed off for a few weeks with depression & anxiety.

I would love a bubble bath with a lush bubble bar for example, but town is 20 minute drive away, and I feel guilty that if anyone saw me shopping, they would think if I am well enough to shop and drive etc I am well enough to work.

I realise thinking this way is probably part of my problem, but am still really worried and would like to know what other 'normal' peoples' perspectives are. TIA.

Isitme, yes that would whorl well, thanks. Grendel - thank you. Did you have to travel to london or do you already live there, hope you don't mind me asking, just wondering as it seems like it's ok / accepted to travel. Ie ok to go somewhere other than the corner shop / nearest town etc...

Criminal no I don't need to go to lush, just fancied one of their nice bath things.

I think you need nurturing, and you deserve what you fancy - like tempting your appetite if you've been off food for a bit.

Would you think it was okay to go to the next town along to get medicine for a poorly family member?

Would you think it was okay to go to the next town along to get medicine for yourself?

It's okay to do what you need in order to get better. In fact, that's your work for right now.

How about 'no, I haven't been well lately but I'm under orders to get out and about when I can so I'm trying to do that. See you soon.' (For potential colleague bumping into).

I had a very long time off with my back and did inform hr when I went on holiday and they moved me onto holiday then back to sick when I got back. Like you, I didn't want any accusations of swinging it.

Hope you feel better very soon.

Good one matilda.

I'm hoping perplexing hasn't been back for a while as she's made it to Lush and is enjoying a lovely bath...

I want a lush bath now!!

Currently off with a broken leg. But I've been off with depression before - and getting out, treating yourself to something like a Lush bubble bar and enjoying the bath is exactly the sort of thing you should be doing!!

I can't go in the bath as I still have healing wounds from my operation. I do have some nice shower gel though!!

I did go out but didn't feel up to Lush, it's so hot and couldn't face the drive (ancient car with no air con). Instead I went to local Costa and had tea & cake. Then walked to Tesco and got some tea bags. Rock & roll.

Might try Lush on Mon when hopefully be quieter,., if feeling brave.

TBH i didn't really enjoy going out. Just looked around me and everything seemed pointless and hopeless.

Also I can hardly walk, body feels really heavy and get breathless when going up hill. And 5 weeks ago I was running 4 miles a day so not that unfit. Just feel sluggish with no energy!

Ps weegie, hope your leg gets better soon and you can enjoy a lush bath.

Matilda, thanks for that, v helpful.

Well done perplexing, tea and cake is a great first step.

I got very good at internet shopping for pretty much everything when I was at my worst.

Lush will deliver for £3.95 you know...lush website

I'm signed off sick, after having an operation. I have been in work for a meeting. I have been shopping. These things are different from working for a whole day.
With an issue like depression or anxiety, it is important to get out and important to look after yourself. Shop away!

Aren't you supposed to be doing everything you can to get well?
So if a bubble bath makes you feel better, that you probably OUGHT to go and get one.

A boy that works for my husband was signed off sick with a bad back for a week, then called in three times over the next few weeks saying it was playing him up. He is in a band and I followed the page on Facebook and saw he was on stage some evenings when was "off sick"

I took screenshots for my husband and he got fired, he was still on probation too.

I would feel nervous of anyone seeing me too. So if you are worried order them online

Hope you feel better soon

Online is a good idea thanks, didn't realise they had a website.

The only snag is p&p, I don't want to sound penny pinching as is no more than parking / fuel etc - but I feel I would need to buy more than one item to make it worth while... But maybe that's just me, anyway good excuse to have more baths I guess!

I know re p&p. I hate to pay for it too.

But it's not a terribly useful principle, is it, if it's getting in the way of doing what you need/want to do?

My maxim re money is that if you have it, it's there to spend on the things that you value. Obviously a different matter if you don't have it.

Thanks isitme.

p&p sounds cheaper than driving and parking and better for the environment, as you won't be the only person they are delivering to, which means it's the morally superior choice. Still, if you order enough to get FREE p&p, so much the better...

Do you have any birthdays coming up that you would normally buy a present for? You could order something extra that you would need to buy something for anyway. I think it's fine to go out but understand if you don't feel like it.

Yes, I went to London specially, once I'd run out of things to look at where I live (I'm not much of a shopper!). No-one raised an eyebrow about it.

There is a huge difference between being off with a physical complaint and being off with depression/anxiety.

I've just started a phased return to work after being off for 14 weeks. At first I didn't really feel fit enough to go out socialising but I made sure I went to the shop or to see my parents at least once a week.
Once I started to feel a bit better, my go actively encouraged me to start socialising again - I went on a couple of nights out, had friends round a couple of times and went to see my friend and her new baby quite a bit. I did feel guilty about it and I made sure I wasn't on Facebook but I also knew it was part of my recovery.

My counsellor actively encouraged me to indulge in a bit of self care. It's so easy when you're feeling that low to think you don't deserve anything nice. That is just the illness talking. You absolutely do deserve it.

You're not expected to sit and feel depressed the whole time. You have the time off to make yourself better and to get back to living your life again. If a lush bath will help that journey in any way then please go and get some.

Take care.

Wise words rabbitstew

You've already done probably the hardest thing, perplexing, in recognising you need some help and getting it. I know (I know) it takes time.

I had forgotten about the heavy legs until you mentioned them today. Hopefully you will forget one day too. For now, be kind to yourself.