The pandemic might have killed the sick day, but the mental-health day is thriving.

With workplace burnout at high levels, nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers say they would take a day off from work for mental health now, compared with 45% before the pandemic, according to a February survey by LinkedIn. 

Yet taking a mental-health day delivers few benefits if it is spent binge-watching shows, scrolling apps or tackling the errand list, health and workplace experts say. It is useful to start a mental-health day with a plan, they say, and to include activities that are restorative but not harried, such as a long walk or a meaningful call with a friend.