I'm not sure who needs to hear this but your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
This week I came down with an awful tummy bug and was basically bed bound for two days... it was not pleasant (would not recommend ) There was no way I could work or take care of my daughter like usual or do all of the things I normally would in a day. So I asked for help. My hubby took the day off and took care of our daughter (and me) and I just slept and got plenty of rest. I knew I had to because I physically could not continue. The next day I has sessions which I had to reschedule but even that was challenging as I didn't want to let anyone down. I would have pushed through them but my husband told me I should rather rest and change them if I could... so I listened and I did. Thank goodness!! But it was really interesting that his suggestion almost gave me permission to do so. That I felt guilt coming to that decision on my own without validation.
It can be even more difficult to validate taking a day off when there is no obvious physical ailment and when what we are feeling, is purely emotional but the gravity of it can be just as detrimental. So if you're needing a mental health day this week because things are feeling really heavy and you don't feel well, then this is your 'permission slip' that it is okay to take what you need. It's okay to put your needs first and make sure you are okay before attending to your work, school or whatever else you've got going on. It's okay to take a break and be unavailable. It's okay to not be okay sometimes and actually it's normal.
So let this be a reminder to you as I know I need to hear it from someone else sometimes too.