Staircase to Success: Daily life schedule blocks symbolize return to work journey with sunlight

Daily Life Notes: How to Boost Mental Health Support at Work

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how daily life notes can revolutionize return-to-work strategies and enhance mental health support in occupational health practices."

Returning to work after a sick leave due to mental health issues can be a challenging transition for many. Relapses and recurrent leaves are common, highlighting the need for effective support systems. In Japan, like many other countries, there's been a growing emphasis on developing guidelines and tools to aid this process, particularly for occupational physicians (OPs) who play a crucial role in assessing a worker's readiness to return.

One such tool gaining traction is the self-reported daily life note (LN). These notes offer a structured way for workers to document their daily activities, providing valuable insights into their lifestyle and routines during sick leave. Factors like sleep patterns and daily habits, often disrupted during periods of mental health challenges, are key indicators of recovery and stability. By tracking these aspects, OPs can make more informed decisions about return-to-work (RTW) readiness.

This article delves into how LNs are used by OPs to support workers returning to their jobs after mental health-related sick leave. We'll explore the characteristics of OPs who use LNs, the criteria they prioritize, and the overall usefulness of this simple yet effective tool. By understanding these dynamics, we can better support individuals in their journey back to the workplace, promoting both their well-being and their long-term success.

What Are Daily Life Notes (LNs) and Why Are They Useful?

Staircase to Success: Daily life schedule blocks symbolize return to work journey with sunlight

Daily life notes (LNs) are structured records that workers keep to document their daily activities and routines during sick leave. These notes typically include details about sleep patterns, meal times, exercise, and other daily habits. By providing a comprehensive overview of a worker's lifestyle, LNs help occupational physicians (OPs) assess their readiness to return to work, especially after a mental health-related absence.

Here’s why LNs are becoming an indispensable tool in occupational health:

Improved Assessment: LNs offer a detailed view of a worker’s daily life, making it easier to evaluate their overall well-being and stability.
Focus on Sleep: Regular sleep patterns are crucial for mental health. LNs help track sleep habits, allowing OPs to identify potential issues.
Communication: LNs facilitate open communication between workers and OPs, fostering a collaborative approach to RTW planning.
Early Intervention: By identifying potential red flags early on, OPs can intervene and provide additional support to prevent relapses.

In a study examining the use of LNs, it was found that occupational physicians who used LNs often emphasized criteria such as constant wake-up times, consistent bedtimes, and the absence of drowsiness during the day. These factors are considered important indicators of a stable and healthy lifestyle, crucial for a successful return to work. Moreover, the study highlighted that the majority of OPs who use LNs find them very useful, and a significant percentage of those who don't use them are interested in incorporating them into their practice.

Conclusion: Supporting Workers with Compassion and Insight

The use of daily life notes represents a practical step forward in supporting workers returning from sick leave due to mental health conditions. By focusing on key lifestyle factors and promoting open communication, OPs can make more informed decisions and provide tailored support. As awareness and understanding of mental health issues continue to grow, tools like LNs will play an increasingly important role in creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are Daily Life Notes (LNs) and how do they help in occupational health?

Daily Life Notes (LNs) are structured records that workers use to document their daily activities, including sleep patterns, meal times, and exercise, while on sick leave. In occupational health, LNs help occupational physicians (OPs) assess a worker's readiness to return to work (RTW) after a mental health-related absence. By providing a detailed view of a worker's daily life, LNs offer insights into their overall well-being and stability, aiding in making informed decisions about the worker's return.

How do occupational physicians (OPs) use Daily Life Notes (LNs) to support workers returning to work?

Occupational physicians (OPs) utilize Daily Life Notes (LNs) to gain a comprehensive understanding of a worker's lifestyle and routines during their sick leave. This includes evaluating factors such as sleep habits, meal times, and daily habits. By analyzing this information, OPs can assess the worker's stability and recovery progress, making informed decisions about their return-to-work (RTW) readiness. This approach facilitates a collaborative RTW planning process, emphasizing open communication between the worker and the OP.

What specific aspects of a worker's life do occupational physicians (OPs) focus on when reviewing Daily Life Notes (LNs)?

When reviewing Daily Life Notes (LNs), occupational physicians (OPs) often emphasize key lifestyle indicators such as constant wake-up times, consistent bedtimes, and the absence of daytime drowsiness. These factors are considered crucial for a stable and healthy lifestyle. The focus on sleep patterns is particularly important, as regular sleep habits are vital for mental health recovery. By monitoring these aspects through LNs, OPs can identify potential issues and intervene early to support the worker's successful return to work.

What are the benefits of using Daily Life Notes (LNs) in return-to-work (RTW) strategies?

The benefits of using Daily Life Notes (LNs) in return-to-work (RTW) strategies are multi-faceted. Firstly, LNs improve assessment by providing a detailed view of a worker's daily life, leading to better evaluation of their overall well-being. Secondly, LNs specifically focus on sleep patterns, crucial for mental health, enabling OPs to identify sleep-related issues. Thirdly, they foster open communication between workers and occupational physicians (OPs), promoting a collaborative approach to RTW planning. Finally, LNs facilitate early intervention, allowing OPs to provide additional support and prevent relapses, ultimately contributing to the worker's long-term success.

How do Daily Life Notes (LNs) contribute to a supportive and inclusive work environment?

Daily Life Notes (LNs) contribute to a supportive and inclusive work environment by focusing on key lifestyle factors and promoting open communication between workers and occupational physicians (OPs). By using LNs, OPs can make more informed decisions and provide tailored support to workers returning from mental health-related sick leave. This proactive approach helps prevent relapses and fosters a sense of care and understanding. As awareness of mental health issues increases, tools like LNs will play an increasingly crucial role in creating a workplace that prioritizes well-being and inclusivity, ensuring that workers feel supported throughout their return-to-work journey.