When To Take A Stress Leave

Did you know that take a stress leave from work may be a real possibility if you are suffering from a stress related disorder?

That's right – the family medical leave covers many stress related illnesses and your employer may allow you to take some time to address your issues if you qualify for this important benefit.

Taking time to work on you, in the end, is best for all parties involved, including your employer. After all, stress not only has an emotional effect on a person, it also affects them physically and inhibits their ability to perform their work at their best.

But how do you know when it would benefit you as an employee – and more importantly, a human being – to request a stress leave to take time off from work to cope with your issues?

The fact of the matter is, if a doctor tells you that you are endangering your health because of your anxiety, then you need to make it your number one priority, and address the problem head on.

However, the sad reality remains that in some workplaces, taking a stress leave might make your boss and your co-workers look down on you unfairly. It’s important that you communicate openly with your direct supervisor to ensure his or her full cooperation and support.

On the other hand, there are some things you can do to manage your stress without taking a leave of absence. Exercise stress relief techniques, for instance, may involve therapy, medicines, meditation, hobbies, etc.

Try as many things as you can just to see if they will work for you. If not, it's imperative that you seek assistance from a competent professional.

When talking with your employer, don't simply say that a stress leave is what the doctor ordered. Instead, illustrate how addressing your issues will make you a better employee.

It is not simply in your self-interest that you take time off, as your health relates directly to your ability to perform your job well. The happier and healthier a company's employees are, the better results they will produce. It's as basic as that.

In fact, one of the hardest workers in America, Dr. Orison Swett Marden, a man who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, realized that a life of stress was no life at all.

In his book “Little Visits with Great Americans,” Dr. Marden teaches that happiness is not something you put off for tomorrow, but it’s something that must motivate you today.

At the core of Marden’s teachings was that a person who was successful had to be greater than their career. If you're losing your life for the sake of your job, what is the job really worth?

Hopefully you have a boss who understands the importance of nurturing his or her workforce. But even if you don't, you can not neglect your own needs.

Have the faith that if you follow your destiny, you will find success – not just financially, but emotionally, physically and spiritually.

If you need a little inspiration as you think about taking a stress leave, listen to Dr. Marden's most notable teachings, in Leadership Series For Successful Living.

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