Chapter 1: The Guilt of Missing Work

Do you often feel remorseful for taking a sick day? You shouldn't have to. The onset of Covid-19 highlighted just how swiftly illness can spread. Fast forward three years, and we find ourselves reverting to the old norm of expecting individuals to work through their sickness.

When we’re unwell, our bodies require rest, hydration, and nourishing food. These elements are crucial for a complete recovery and to eliminate the virus from our systems. Using medication to power through work can prolong illness and lead to further complications.

Currently, about one-third of Americans are not getting adequate sleep. With our dependence on caffeine and screens, achieving restorative sleep has become increasingly difficult. Sleep is vital for our bodies to heal, and illness often signifies that our systems are in disrepair.

Imagine neglecting a growing hole in your ceiling. Over time, it worsens and can disrupt your life—whether it leads to water damage or dust accumulation. This is akin to how our bodies react when we are sick.

Taking medication and dragging ourselves to work is comparable to simply covering that hole with a plastic bag and promising to fix it later. The problem will only escalate, just as your sickness will.

What can we do? Should we call in sick for every minor sniffle? Should we rely on a landlord's goodwill? Ideally, by prioritizing sleep, you can minimize the duration of your illness, leading to fewer missed workdays. This means focusing on sufficient rest before falling ill and allowing extra sleep when you're not feeling well.

Neglecting sleep can force your body to dictate when it needs to recuperate, regardless of your plans or commitments. Your body is indifferent to deadlines or important events; it simply knows when it needs to repair itself.

If you're in a position where taking sick leave isn't feasible, consider how you manage your time outside of work. Avoid late nights, allow yourself to sleep in, reduce your caffeine intake, cut back on sugar, take more naps, and stay hydrated.

Work shouldn't define the quality of our lives. It's a strange narrative we've accepted—if we're not working, who are we? What purpose do we serve without our jobs? We tend to idolize those who have "never missed a day of work," labeling them as the epitome of a responsible citizen.

It's time to shift this narrative to one that values sleep and well-being over relentless work schedules.

How do you determine when you're too sick to work? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Thanks for reading,

Emery

Chapter 2: Understanding the Importance of Sleep