Sophie woke up on Monday morning feeling exhausted. She had been working late every night for the past three weeks. Her job as a marketing manager was demanding and stressful. She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, dreading the day ahead. Her body felt heavy and her mind was foggy. Sophie picked up her phone and saw twelve unread work emails. Just looking at them made her anxiety worse. She had not had a proper day off in months. Even on weekends, she checked her email constantly. Sophie thought about calling in sick, but she rarely took sick days. Then she remembered a conversation with her therapist. 'Mental health is just as important as physical health,' Dr. Chen had said. 'You need to learn to prioritize yourself sometimes.' Sophie made a decision. Today would be a mental health day. She sent a short message to her boss explaining she would not come in. She did not give many details, just that she was not feeling well. After sending the message, she felt a wave of guilt. What would her colleagues think? Would they judge her? She pushed those thoughts away and put her phone on silent. First, Sophie went back to sleep for two more hours. She had not slept this late on a weekday in years. When she finally woke up, she felt slightly more rested. Sophie made herself a proper breakfast for the first time in weeks. Usually, she just grabbed coffee and ate at her desk. Today, she cooked eggs, made toast, and cut up fresh fruit. She sat at her kitchen table and ate slowly, enjoying every bite. After breakfast, she decided to go for a walk in the park. The sun was shining and the air was fresh and cool. Sophie realized she had not been outside during daylight hours on a weekday for a long time. She usually arrived at work before sunrise and left after dark. Walking through the park, Sophie noticed things she had forgotten existed. Birds were singing in the trees. Flowers were blooming everywhere. She sat on a bench and watched children playing on the playground. Their laughter was infectious, and Sophie found herself smiling. When was the last time she had truly smiled? After her walk, Sophie went to a small coffee shop she used to visit. She had not been there in over a year. The owner, an elderly woman named Rosa, recognized her immediately. 'Sophie! Where have you been? We missed you!' Rosa exclaimed. Sophie felt touched that someone had noticed her absence. 'I have been very busy with work,' Sophie explained. 'Too busy is not good for the soul,' Rosa said wisely. Sophie ordered her favorite drink: a lavender latte. She sat by the window and watched people walking by outside. For once, she was not rushing anywhere. She had nowhere to be. In the afternoon, Sophie called her mother. They had not talked properly in months, just quick texts here and there. 'It is so wonderful to hear your voice,' her mother said. They talked for over an hour about everything and nothing. Sophie realized how much she had missed these simple conversations. Her mother asked if everything was okay, sensing something was different. 'I am taking a mental health day,' Sophie admitted. 'That is the best thing I have heard in a long time,' her mother replied. Later, Sophie took a long bath with scented candles. She read a novel she had been meaning to finish for six months. The words transported her to another world, far from spreadsheets and meetings. For dinner, Sophie ordered her favorite Thai food. She ate on the couch while watching a comedy show. She laughed out loud several times, something she rarely did anymore. Before bed, Sophie wrote in her journal for the first time in years. She wrote about her feelings, her fears, and her hopes. She realized she had been ignoring her own needs for too long. Work was important, but it should not consume her entire life. Sophie fell asleep easily that night, something unusual for her. The next morning, she woke up feeling refreshed and grateful. She returned to work with a new perspective. Sophie started setting boundaries with her work hours. She stopped checking emails after seven in the evening. She made time for things that brought her joy. She also scheduled regular mental health days, once every two months. Her colleagues noticed the change in her and asked what her secret was. 'I learned to take care of myself,' Sophie replied with a smile. Taking a mental health day had changed her life more than she expected. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit you need a break.
English Story (B1)Mental Health Day
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Sophie, a marketing manager, wakes up exhausted after weeks of overwork. She remembers her therapist's advice about mental health being as important as physical health and decides to take a mental health day. Despite initial guilt, she spends the day reconnecting with herself - sleeping in, cooking a proper breakfast, walking in the park, visiting her favorite coffee shop, and talking with her mother. She reads, takes a bath, and writes in her journal. The experience helps her realize she had been ignoring her own needs. Sophie returns to work with a new perspective, setting boundaries and scheduling regular mental health days, inspiring her colleagues with her positive change.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What is Sophie's job?
2
What advice did Dr. Chen give Sophie?
3
Who is Rosa?
4
What change did Sophie make to her work routine after the mental health day?
Vocabulary
39 words from this story
