National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day

Categories:: Fun
Tags:: Lifestyle Mental Health Work
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every November 30
Holiday emoji:: 🧘‍♀️

National Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day arrives annually on November 30, urging us to take a day off for pure rest and rejuvenation. Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, this holiday celebrates the importance of prioritizing personal well-being without needing an illness as an excuse. Embrace a day of comfort, quiet, and self-care.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related

History of National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day

Over the years, our work lives have increasingly grown busy, and with the invention of so many work tools to keep us in check, it’s hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance. A lot of us are usually overworked, stressed, and can’t seem to find time for ourselves away from our busy schedules. National Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day was created to solve this problem.

Thomas and Ruth Roy created Stay Home Because You’re Well Day so we can all call in well, instead of faking an illness, just to stay home from work. Almost all of us are guilty of searching for excuses to stay away from work, and this day urges us to stop all the faking and simply stay home because we’re in need of some time off.

Thomas Roy is an American film, television, and voice actor, and is married to Ruth Roy. Together, they have created several holidays under the name of Wellcat Holidays, simply because they felt we needed more fun and creative ways to celebrate days of the year. Back in the late ‘80s, Thomas came up with his first copyrighted holiday, Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day, which asks citizens to go outdoors and yell “Hoodie-Hoo” at high noon, to chase winter, and make ready for spring. Since then they have had over 80 registered quirky days, some of which have been featured in “USA Today”, “The Los Angeles Times”, and many other publications, television, and shows.

National Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day is celebrated annually on November 30 and is one of the couple’s quirkier (and most anticipated) holidays.

National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day timeline

1800s

First Paid Time Off

Australian Alfred Edments decides to give every employee a fortnight's holiday on full pay and, when they fall ill, pledges to continue paying their salaries.

1910

The Failed Proposal

President William Howard Taft proposes that every American worker needs two to three months of vacation a year, and is opposed by U.S. legislators.

1940s

Vacation Wages Increase

By 1940, vacation coverage for hourly employees grows to 50%, and a 1943 report reveals that 60% of workers under union agreement are entitled to paid vacation.

1993

The Family Medical Leave Act

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is passed by Congress and guarantees a minimum of 12 weeks’ unpaid time off for workers to recover from illness, take time with a new baby, or deal with medical issues of immediate family members.

National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day FAQs

When is National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day?

National Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day 2026 falls on Monday, November 30. It’s the perfect opportunity to kick off the week with a focus on personal rest and rejuvenation.

Who created National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day?

This unique holiday was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs. They are known for establishing numerous unconventional observances, often with a humorous or thought-provoking twist, encouraging people to embrace life’s lighter side.

What are the benefits of taking a 'well day'?

Taking a ‘well day’ offers numerous benefits, including reduced stress, improved mental clarity, increased productivity upon return to work, and enhanced overall mood. It allows for physical and mental recuperation before burnout sets in.

How is National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day different from a sick day?

Unlike a sick day, which is taken due to illness, National Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day is about proactive wellness. It’s a deliberate choice to rest, recharge, and prevent burnout, rather than reacting to an existing health issue.

National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day Activities

Stay at home
Your first step to celebrating this day is to actually stay at home. Call up your boss and be honest about your reason for taking a day off. Hopefully, your honesty is valued and you can take the whole day to rest, recuperate, and do the things you love.
Practice a hobby
Whatever your hobbies are, today will be the best time to practice them. Are you a bookworm, or do you enjoy binge-watching Netflix? Whatever your preference, today is the perfect time to do the things that make you happy.
Sharpen a skill
With all the work going on in our daily lives, it’s hard to find time to work on skills, crafts, or passion projects. Today is your opportunity to prioritize these and enhance them.

5 Surprising Facts About Paid Leave In America

In Nevada, you don’t need a reason
The Nevada Paid Time Off Law allows employees to take time off without providing any reason to their employer.
There is a 90-day wait period
Many jurisdictions require an employee to have been employed for 90 days before being able to take leave. In Vermont, there is a one-year wait period.
Paid family medical leave for military events
Washington, D.C., and Connecticut have expanded the use of paid family and medical leave to include qualifying military events related to an active duty family member.
It could be used to care for a service dog
In Emeryville, California, you can use paid sick leave to care for a service dog.
You can use any reason in these jurisdictions
Although factors may vary, Maine, Nevada, and Bernalillo County, New Mexico, allow employees to take paid leave for any reason.

Why We Love National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day

We all need personal time off
At some point in our busy work schedules, we are all in need of time off. This day allows us to do that, without even needing an excuse.
You don’t need a reason
National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day encourages us to stay home just because we are healthy, no excuses or reasons necessary. This is great as it removes the stress of excuse-finding, and urges us to just be honest with our need for personal time.
We get to do the things we love
There is so much we push aside just because we never have the time. This day gives us an opportunity to revisit those things and grow our love for our hobbies accordingly.