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Get ready to practice some self-care on National Sickie Day this February 5! Contrary to its name, this day isn't about promoting sickness — it's all about taking some time off to promote wellness. Since its inception in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s, National Sickie Day has commonly been viewed as the day most likely for employees to call in sick, thanks to the combination of bad weather, post-holiday blues, and the start of the work week. However, it has also evolved into a day to highlight the importance of health and wellbeing. So bundle up, delve into some chicken soup, and remember that taking care of your health should always be a top priority!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of National Sickie Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the UK, the first Monday of February was first labelled as National Sickie Day due to the high rate of employees calling in sick.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Attracting Media Attention</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Sickie Day started gaining media attention, as the number of reported sick leaves peaked during this day across several industries.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Sickie Day Goes Global</div><div class='timeline-text'>The holiday started to be recognized internationally, with companies worldwide becoming aware of the trend.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emphasizing Wellness</div><div class='timeline-text'>The focus of National Sickie Day began to shift from absenteeism to promoting health and wellness among employees.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the COVID-19 pandemic, observances of National Sickie Day promoted virtual health checks and maintaining wellbeing while working from home.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Catch up on sleep</h3><p class='facts-text'>Rest is one of the best ways to recover when you're not feeling well. Use this day to catch up on your sleep, aiding your body in eliminating any fatigue and strain, and recovering faster.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Enjoy therapeutic activities</h3><p class='facts-text'>Do something that soothes your mind and body, like reading, painting, or yoga. Practicing mindfulness can also help alleviate stress and promote wellness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Try a new healthy recipe</h3><p class='facts-text'>Take some time to nourish your body with good food. Try cooking a new recipe that is rich in vitamins and nutrients to help boost your immune system.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a home spa day</h3><p class='facts-text'>Relaxation can do wonders for your well-being. So, why not turn your bathroom into a spa? Take a long bath, light some candles, play some calm music, and just relax.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Connect with loved ones</h3><p class='facts-text'>Sometimes, all you need is a good chat with a friend or family member. On this day, take some time to connect with your loved ones, share some laughs, and improve your mood.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Prioritizes Self-care and Well-being</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Sickie Day gives us an excuse to take a break and put our health first. It’s a gentle reminder that self-care is paramount and that taking sufficient rest when needed can help our bodies recover & regain strength. On this day, we are encouraged to focus on activities that promote health & wellness, making it a day for rejuvenation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes Enjoyable Therapeutic Activities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Did you know that engaging in therapeutic activities such as reading, painting, or yoga can have positive impacts on our health? National Sickie Day not only promotes this, but also provides an opportunity for us to unwind from the stresses of everyday life by engaging in these activities, improving our overall mood & mental health.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Nourishing Food & Connections</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Who doesn’t love a day that gives you a reason to treat yourself to some wholesome, nutritious food and enjoy good company? National Sickie Day encourages us to reach out to our loved ones and share comforting conversations. It's also a day to indulge in some delicious, yet healthy food to help boost our immune system, proving that taking care of ourselves can be delicious and fun.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Sickie Day is the Busiest Day for HR Departments</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to the high number of employees phoning in sick, Human Resources departments typically find this the busiest day of the year, responding to absence requests!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Average Employee Takes 4 Sick Days per Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to surveys, the average worker in the United Kingdom calls in sick four times a year. National Sickie Day is often one of these days.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ever Heard of Skiving Syndrome?</h3><p class='facts-content'>"Skiving Syndrome" is a term coined because of National Sickie Day's cultural impact. It denotes employees who regularly avoid work by falsely claiming sickness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Cost of Absenteeism is Significant</h3><p class='facts-content'>Annually, employee absence costs United Kingdom businesses around £15 billion, revealing just how impactful sickness--genuine or fraudulent--can be on an economy.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Companies Leverage National Sickie Day for Wellness Initiatives</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many companies globally use National Sickie Day as a springboard for launching health and wellness initiatives, aiming at lowering absenteeism by boosting workplace health atmospheres.</p></div></div>
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