Is it time for a mental health day?

The world is chaotic, your kids are fighting over who gets “the best” color of M&M's and you hear work notifications in your dreams — if you can fall asleep.

- STEPHANIE DOLGOFF

A mental health day, as the term is commonly used, is simply a day to de-stress, get away from the demands on your time and psyche and re-center yourself so you can feel better and function well both at work and in the world. “The best reason to take a mental health day is to prevent burnout,” says Rosenna Bakari, Ph.D., a psychologist who consults on workplace wellness and the author of The Healing Journey.

You're the best judge of how unraveled you feel—but here are some signs that you may need a self-care day:

• You are exhausted or falling asleep at work