Just because someone works from home doesn’t mean they’ve got it easy. Trust me, I know. As a WFH mom juggling content writing for NoBS Marketplace and part-time ESL tutoring at RareJob, I’ve had days where I’m staring blankly at the screen, coffee in hand, wondering how I’m already exhausted—and the day’s only half over.

Here’s what people don’t always see: remote work comes with its own kind of stress. You’re technically at home, but that doesn’t mean you’re resting. One minute you’re editing a blog draft, the next you’re scrubbing dishes or folding laundry during a short break. Even when you’re done with client work, the house still calls your name—and no one’s logging that as “work hours.”

That’s where mental health days come in. And no, they’re not just for people in office cubicles or those with long commutes. They’re for folks like us too—those who work from their living rooms, bedrooms, or kitchen counters, juggling client deadlines and chores in the same breath.

In this post, I’ll talk about why mental health days are just as important (maybe even more) for remote workers. So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I this drained when I haven’t even left the house?”—you’re not alone, and this one’s for you.

The Unique Stressors of Remote Work

Working from home sounds like a dream—no commute, no need to fix your hair every morning, and no office politics to tiptoe around. But anyone who’s been doing it for a while knows the stress didn’t magically disappear. It just shifted and found new ways to sneak in.

✨You’re never really “off”

One of the biggest stressors? Work and home life blur into one long, messy line. There’s no clear end to your day. You might finish writing an article at 6 p.m., but as you’re cooking dinner, your phone pings with a client message. And guess what? You check it, because technically, you could reply right away.

✨Isolation creeps in quietly

When you’re working alone all day, especially without meetings or calls, it’s easy to go an entire day without talking to another adult. It sounds peaceful—until it’s not. Humans need social interaction, even if it’s just casual conversations.

✨Household responsibilities don’t pause

When you work remotely, house chores don’t wait for their turn. They’re always within sight, quietly demanding attention between tasks. I’m lucky—my two teenagers know what they need to do and usually get it done, though sometimes they need a gentle nudge. Still, the dishes, laundry, and random messes don’t clean themselves. And even on busy days, something must be wiped, sorted, or folded—usually right when you’re trying to focus or jump into a meeting.

✨Guilt and the pressure to “always be available”

Remote workers often feel like they have to prove they’re working. That pressure makes it hard to take breaks without guilt. You’re worried someone will think you’re slacking off, even when you’re putting in more hours than ever. For example, you don’t take proper lunch breaks anymore. You eat while checking emails or attending meetings, convincing yourself it’s efficient—but really, it’s draining.

These stressors may seem small on their own, but they build up over time. Left unchecked, they can wear you down—mentally, emotionally, even physically. That’s why recognizing them is the first step. Once you’re aware of what’s actually stressing you out, you’re better equipped to do something about it.

Why Mental Health Days Are Crucial

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re immune to burnout. In fact, the quiet pressure of remote work can wear you down without warning. That’s why mental health days aren’t just helpful—they’re necessary.

✨You can’t pour from an empty cup

It’s a cliché for a reason. If your mind constantly juggles tasks—replying to emails, meeting deadlines, prepping dinner, folding laundry during breaks—you’ll eventually hit a wall. A mental health day allows you to pause and breathe without guilt.

✨They help prevent burnout before it snowballs

Burnout builds slowly. You might start skipping breaks, sleeping poorly, or feeling annoyed for no reason. Taking a mental health day now can save you from needing a week off later because you ignored the signs.

✨ Mental health days boost your focus and creativity

When you step away from work completely—even just for a day—you come back clearer. New ideas feel easier. Small tasks don’t feel as heavy. Sometimes, a reset is all you need to get out of that mental fog.

✨They remind you that your well-being matters too

Especially as a mom, it’s easy to put yourself last. But taking a mental health day isn’t selfish—it’s responsible. It sends a message (to yourself and your family) that your mental space matters just as much as your deadlines or their laundry.

A mental health day isn’t a luxury or an excuse. It’s a form of maintenance—like charging your phone before it dies. And in the long run, it helps you show up better in all areas of life: as a worker, a parent, and a person.

Signs You Might Need a Mental Health Day

Sometimes it’s obvious—you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and barely holding it together. But more often, the signs are subtle. You push through the discomfort, tell yourself to suck it up, and keep going… until your body or brain forces a full stop.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

✨ You’re mentally checked out

You sit in front of your screen, but your brain feels like it’s somewhere else. There was an instance when I was halfway through writing a simple email—nothing too serious, just a quick reply. But suddenly, my mind went blank. I couldn’t remember what I was trying to say or why I even started the message. I reread the first few lines repeatedly, hoping it would return to me. It didn’t. I got annoyed, closed the tab, and told myself I’d finish it later… but even then, it lingered like unfinished business in the back of my mind.

✨ You’re tired, even after resting

You sleep 7–8 hours, but wake up feeling like you never went to bed. That kind of exhaustion isn’t just physical—it’s mental. If rest isn’t helping, it’s a sign your brain needs a break from more than just sleep.

Every day, I start with a cup of strong black coffee—it’s part of the routine. But there are times when even that doesn’t cut it. I still feel sluggish, like my body’s moving, but my brain is still in bed. No energy, no drive. Even the simplest tasks feel like climbing a hill in flip-flops. You try to shake it off, but it lingers, quietly dragging the whole day down.

✨ You’re easily irritated or emotionally sensitive

One minor inconvenience sets you off. You snap at your kids for not putting away the dishes. You feel like crying over a late email reply. These reactions usually mean you’re stretched too thin.

✨ You’ve lost interest in things you enjoy

Whether bingeing your favorite K-drama or catching up on a book you love, if nothing sounds fun anymore, that’s a signal. It could be stress, mental fatigue, or burnout making everything feel… blah.

Have you ever felt so drained that even choosing what to watch feels like too much? You finally get a bit of time to yourself, open Netflix, scroll for what feels like forever, then just shut it off and sit in silence. It’s not that nothing looks good—it’s that your brain can’t engage. That’s not boredom. That’s emotional exhaustion quietly taking over.

✨ You feel anxious or overwhelmed for no clear reason

Even when things seem “manageable,” you still feel this knot in your stomach. You can’t relax. You’re constantly waiting for something to go wrong, even when it hasn’t.

Listening to your body and mind is key. You don’t need to wait until you’re falling apart. A mental health day is there to stop you from getting to that point in the first place.

What To Do on a Mental Health Day

A mental health day is about giving yourself space to breathe, slow down, and feel human again. That doesn’t mean you need a full spa setup or an expensive getaway. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, simple things that do the most good.

✨ Unplug—from everything

Try to stay away from emails, messages, and anything that reminds you of work. If possible, put your phone on silent or limit screen time altogether. You don’t have to ghost the world—but you’re allowed to put yourself first for a day.

At No BS we’re encouraged to set an out-of-office reply in Teams when we take paid time off, such as: Spending time with the family- will respond tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!” Short, respectful, and no explanations needed.

✨ Do something that makes you feel alive again

This could be anything—walking barefoot in your garden, watching a feel-good K-drama, playing with your dog, or just listening to your favorite music on loop. The goal is to reconnect with joy, not productivity.

✨ Rest—guilt-free

If you feel like napping, nap. If you want to lie on the couch and stare at the ceiling while doing absolutely nothing—do it. Rest is not a reward. It’s a need. Let your body decide what it needs without labeling it as “lazy.”

✨ Get outside if you can

Fresh air works wonders. Even a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood can help clear your head and shift your mood. You don’t need to do a full-on nature trip—just stepping outside can make a difference.

There’s no one-size-fits-all for a mental health day. What matters most is that it’s your day. It doesn’t need to be productive. It just needs to be honest—to give your mind and body what they’ve been quietly asking for.

How To Ask for a Mental Health Day (Even When You’re Remote)

Asking for a mental health day can still be a bit awkward, especially when you’re not walking past your boss’s desk every day. Here’s how to approach it without overthinking:

✨Keep it simple and respectful

You don’t need to pour your heart out or give a long explanation. A mental health day is just as valid as a sick day. Treat it that way.

Sample message:
“Hi [Name], I’d like to take a personal day tomorrow to reset and rest. Let me know if there’s anything urgent you’d like me to wrap up today.”

That’s it. Short. Clear. Professional. You’re being honest without oversharing.

✨ Plan ahead when possible

If you see a rough patch coming (say, back-to-back projects or a stressful week ahead), try to schedule a day off in advance. It will give your team a heads-up and make things easier for everyone—including you.

✨Don’t talk yourself out of it

It’s easy to fall into the “But I’m just at home” trap. But working from home doesn’t erase pressure or burnout. If anything, it sometimes adds more, because no one sees how tired you really are. If you feel drained, that’s reason enough.

✨ Normalize it in your work culture

If you’re in a leadership role or freelance setting, talk about mental health breaks like they’re part of the workflow. When you make it normal, others will feel safe doing the same.

✨ Trust that the world won’t fall apart

This one’s hard—especially for people who take pride in being reliable. But the truth is: most things can wait a day. And when you come back recharged, you’ll work better, not slower.

Taking a mental health day makes you aware. And that awareness? That’s what keeps you from burning out in silence.

Final Thoughts

Some days, powering through isn’t the brave thing—pausing is. Taking a mental health day doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. It means you’re choosing to show up for yourself first, so you can show up better for everything else.

So here’s something to think about: when was the last time you took a real break—one without guilt, notifications, or half-finished to-do lists?

Maybe today’s the day to finally give yourself that permission.