Stress and burnout are increasingly recognized as legitimate reasons to miss work. Prolonged stress can impact your mental and physical health, leading to decreased productivity and overall well-being. Burnout, which occurs when work demands exceed your capacity over a long period, can cause exhaustion, detachment, and even physical illness. If you're feeling overwhelmed to the point where you can’t function effectively, taking a mental health day or two is a good idea. When informing your employer, be clear and upfront about needing time off to rest and recuperate. You don’t have to go into deep details—simply stating that you're feeling burned out or experiencing high stress levels should be enough. Some employers may offer specific mental health days as part of their leave policy, while others may allow you to use sick days for this purpose. Taking time off not only helps you recover but also prevents mistakes or poor performance that could arise from trying to push through when you're not at your best. Additionally, when you return, it might be helpful to assess your workload and discuss ways to manage stress moving forward, whether that means delegating tasks, setting clearer boundaries, or taking regular breaks.