20 Other Ways to Say “I Am Not Feeling Well”

When it comes to communicating your health status professionally, especially in a workplace setting, there are numerous ways to express that you’re not feeling well.

 Whether you’re dealing with a temporary illness, experiencing health issues, or just feeling under the weather, choosing the right words can make a significant difference in how your message is received. 

You might say “I’m not in the best shape today” for minor ailments, or “I’m experiencing some health issues” for more serious situations. Other professional alternatives include “I’m not quite myself at the moment,” “I’m feeling a bit off today,” or “I’m not at my best.

1 “I’m Feeling Under the Weather”

“I’m feeling under the weather” is a professional and widely accepted phrase to communicate illness in the workplace. 

This gentle expression effectively conveys that you’re experiencing mild illness or discomfort without being too specific or dramatic.

• Example: I’m feeling under the weather this morning and will need to work from home today. 
• Example: I’ll be available via email and will attend the team meeting virtually.

2″I’m Feeling Unwell”

“I’m feeling unwell” is a direct and straightforward way to communicate illness to your supervisor or colleagues. This clear, professional phrase strikes the right balance between being honest about your condition without oversharing medical details. 

It’s particularly effective when you need to communicate a temporary absence or request a sick day.

• Example: “Dear Mr. Thompson, I’m feeling unwell today and need to take a sick day to rest and recover. I’ve already updated the team calendar and rescheduled my afternoon client  
• Example:” This phrase works well in both formal emails and casual workplace conversations, making it a versatile choice for various professional situations.

3″I’m Not Feeling My Best”

“I’m not feeling my best” is a polite and professional way to communicate that you’re experiencing health issues while maintaining a positive tone. 

This phrase is particularly useful when you plan to continue working but need to acknowledge that your performance might be affected by your condition. 

• Example: “Good morning Lisa, I wanted to let you know that I’m not feeling my best today. While. 
• Example:  I’ll be present for our team meeting, I may need to take short breaks throughout the day

4″I’m Feeling Ill”

“I’m feeling ill” is a direct and clear-cut way to communicate your health status in a professional setting. 

This straightforward phrase leaves no room for misinterpretation and is particularly appropriate when you need to take immediate sick leave or require a brief absence from work. 

•  Example: “Dear Ms. Johnson, I’m feeling ill this morning and won’t be able to come into the office today. 
•   Example: I’ll keep you updated about my return to work tomorrow. Best regards, Sarah.”  

5″I’m Feeling A Bit Under the Weather”

Adding “a bit” to the classic phrase “under the weather” creates a softer, more casual tone while maintaining professionalism. 

This gentle phrasing is perfect for situations where you’re experiencing mild symptoms but can still manage some work responsibilities. 

It’s particularly useful when you need to inform your supervisor about a temporary decrease in productivity or request flexible working arrangements. 

• Example: “Hi Mark, I’m feeling a bit under the weather this morning and would appreciate working from home today. 
• ExampleI’ll be available for our scheduled Zoom meetings and will complete the quarterly report as planned. 

6″I’m Experiencing Some Health Issues”

“I’m experiencing some health issues” is a more formal and serious way to communicate medical concerns in a professional setting. 

This phrase is particularly appropriate when dealing with ongoing health situations that may require extended time off or special workplace accommodations. 

It conveys a level of privacy while still being transparent about the impact on your work.

• Example: “Dear Dr. Williams, I wanted to inform you that I’m experiencing some health issues that require medical attention. 
• Example: I’ll need to take Thursday and Friday off for medical appointments and initial treatment. I’ve already briefed Jennifer on the ongoing projects and shared detailed notes for the team meeting. 

7. “I’m Not Feeling Well Today”

“I’m not feeling well today” is a polite and professional way to inform someone about your condition without over-explaining. 

•  Example, if you’re informing your boss, you could say:
• Example:
  “Hi [Boss’s Name], I’m not feeling well today and won’t be able to come to work. I’ll keep you updated if my condition affects my availability tomorrow.  

8. “I’m Feeling Quite Off”

“I’m feeling quite off” is a slightly informal way to express that you’re unwell without specifying symptoms. It’s useful in casual or semi-professional settings.

• Example:
  “Hey [Boss’s Name], I’m feeling quite off today and think it’s best if I take the day to rest. 
• Example: I’ll check in later if I start feeling better. Let me know if anything urgent comes up. Thanks!”

9. “I’m Not at My Best”  

“I’m not at my best” is a subtle and professional way to indicate that you’re feeling unwell without being too direct. It works well in workplaces where you want to acknowledge your condition but remain optimistic about your ability to recove

• Example 1: “I’m not at my best today, so I’ll need to take it easy.”
• Example 2: “I’m not at my best, so I may not be able to contribute fully.”

10. “I’m Feeling Quite Ill”

“I’m feeling quite ill” is a clear and professional way to express that you’re unwell and likely unable to work. It conveys a more serious condition than just feeling off.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling quite ill and need to take a day off.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling quite ill, so I’ll be out of the office.”

11. “I’m Under the Weather”

“I’m under the weather” is a common and slightly informal way to say you’re feeling unwell. It’s suitable for workplaces with a relaxed communication style.

• Example 1: “I’m under the weather today and need to rest.”
• Example 2: “I’m under the weather, so I won’t be able to join you.”

12. “I’m Feeling Poorly”

“I’m feeling poorly” is a polite and slightly old-fashioned way to express that you’re unwell. It’s commonly used in British English and works in both formal and informal settings.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling poorly and will need to take some time off.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling poorly and will not be able to attend the event.”

13. “I’m Feeling Off”

“I’m feeling off” is a casual way to say that something doesn’t feel right, whether physically or mentally. It’s best used in informal or semi-professional settings.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling off today and might not be up for much.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling off and will take the day to recover.”

14. “I’m Feeling a Bit Under the Weather”

“I’m feeling a bit under the weather” is a common and gentle way to indicate you’re not feeling well, often used in both casual and professional contexts.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ll be staying home.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I might not be very active.”

15. “I’m Experiencing Discomfort”

“I’m experiencing discomfort” is a more formal and less detailed way to express that you’re not feeling well, often used when you want to maintain a professional tone while indicating that your condition is affecting your ability to work.

• Example 1: “I’m experiencing discomfort and may need to leave early.”
• Example 2: “I’m experiencing discomfort and won’t be able to participate today.”

16. “I’m Feeling Out of Sorts”

“I’m feeling out of sorts” is an informal way to express that you’re not feeling quite yourself, either physically or emotionally. It works well in casual or semi-professional settings.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling out of sorts today and need to take it easy.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling out of sorts, so I may not be very productive.”

17. “I’m Feeling Ill”

“I’m feeling ill” is a direct and clear way to indicate you’re unwell, typically used when you’re experiencing noticeable symptoms that prevent you from working.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling ill and won’t be able to make it to the meeting.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling ill and will need to rest at home.”

18. “I’m Not Feeling Up to Par”

“I’m not feeling up to par” is a polite way to indicate you’re not feeling your best, typically used when you feel slightly unwell but still want to maintain a professional tone.

• Example 1: “I’m not feeling up to par today and might need to take a break.”
• Example 2: “I’m not feeling up to par, so I might not be very active.”

19. “I’m Feeling Off Color”

“I’m feeling off color” is a more casual and somewhat old-fashioned way to say you’re not feeling well, often used in informal settings.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling off color today and will stay home to recover.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling off color, so I’ll need to take it easy.”

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20. “I’m Feeling a Bit Under the Weather”

“I’m feeling a bit under the weather” is a commonly used, gentle way to express that you’re not feeling well, suitable for both casual and professional settings.

• Example 1: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather and won’t be coming in today.”
• Example 2: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ll be resting at home.”

“Hi [Boss’s Name], I’m feeling a bit under the weather today and will need to take a sick day to rest. I’ll keep you updated if my condition doesn’t improve. Please let me know if you need anything urgent. Thanks for your understanding!”

Frequently Asked question 

How much detail should I provide about my illness?

Keep information general unless specific details are necessary for workplace safety or extended leave requirements.

 When should I notify my boss about being sick?

Contact your supervisor as soon as possible, ideally before your workday begins.

 Should I mention my medical appointments?

Only mention appointments that affect your work schedule, without providing unnecessary medical details.

 How often should I update my boss during extended illness?

Provide updates at agreed-upon intervals or when there are significant changes to your return timeline.

 Should I be available while on sick leave?

Unless previously agreed upon, focus on recovery rather than maintaining work availability.

Conclusion

Effective communication about health issues in the workplace requires professionalism, clarity, and appropriate timing. Choose phrases that maintain workplace decorum while clearly conveying your situation. Remember to follow up appropriately and provide necessary updates without oversharing personal medical information.

The key to success is maintaining professional boundaries while being honest and transparent about your ability to work. This approach helps preserve workplace relationships and ensures proper management of your responsibilities during your absence.