In today’s fast-paced world, the idea of taking a break from work—a sabbatical—can seem almost like a cruel joke. After all, we’re taught by society to hustle, grind, and never stop. But what if the secret to personal growth, productivity, and long-term career success actually lies in stepping away for a while?
A sabbatical, an extended break from work for a month or more, can offer profound benefits that not only help you recharge but also provide the mental space you need to rethink your life’s direction, rediscover passions, and ultimately perform better when you return. Here are a few key ways a sabbatical can help you and what I’m experiencing with my time off. Part II will be next week where I’ll talk about how to prepare for a sabbatical.
Prevent Burnout & Improve Mental Health
Depending on how you’re feeling today, “prevent” may be too optimistic. A report came out in June from Indeed that found that 52% of employees are feeling burnt out right now. So, when I say “prevent” I may really mean “recover” from burnout. Taking time off provides some relief from our hectic schedules. Constant work without adequate rest can lead to mental fatigue, decreased creativity, and a lack of motivation. By stepping away from your day-to-day responsibilities, you give yourself the time and space to recover mentally and emotionally. A sabbatical allows you to regain your energy and perspective, which can lead to improved mental health, reduced stress, and a clearer mindset when you return.
What I’m Finding: Burnout is very real and can take quite a long time to recover from. I’ve been a busy person for most of my adult life and what I quickly realized was that I needed to focus on burnout recovery. I couldn’t just jump into a sabbatical and have it take care of itself. I am the kind of person that naturally finds a thousand things to do, even when I’m not working. If that’s also you, know that you’ll need to convince yourself not to pick-up a bunch of new projects. I am currently focusing on the things that make me happy. So, I’ve started swimming again and recently picked up one long yoga session a week. I can’t imagine going back to working full-time and I’m not even sure I’ve recovered fully (it’s been seven months).
Starting a sabbatical doesn’t fundamentally change who you are either. I’m still a person that gets stressed out about things easily. I’m still a person that tries to take on too much. I’ve had to work really hard to change some of these habits and I’m still struggling with them. So, having the time off doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be cured of your burnout. You need to be very intentional about what you want out of your sabbatical and have a plan for getting there. (That’s next week’s topic!)
Reignite Old Passions & Hobbies
When you’re constantly in “work mode,” it’s easy to fall into a routine that leaves little room for creative thinking. A sabbatical offers the perfect opportunity to explore new hobbies, travel, learn new skills, or simply reflect on what inspires you. This break from the usual grind allows you to rediscover passions that may have been buried under deadlines and meetings. Creativity often thrives when you’re not confined to the pressure of work. When you return, you might find yourself approaching problems with fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
What I’m Finding: I had a list of hobbies I wanted to pick back up during my time off (more travel, swimming, yoga, guitar). I have done everything but the last one. The first month I was off, my husband and I took a one-month trip to Europe. I used to have to fit all of my vacation into a few days a year, but now I’m free to travel when I like. By the time this blog is posted, we’ll be in New Zealand with the kids for a nearly three-week trip! I’m also reading a lot more and that’s been incredibly worthwhile. Suffice it to say, picking up new, fun hobbies was one of the easiest things for me to do once I quit my job.
Enhance Focus & Productivity
It may sound counterproductive, but taking time off can actually make you more productive in the long run. Research has shown that breaks—whether short or long—are crucial for maintaining sustained focus and performance. When you’re constantly “on,” your brain and body get worn out, leading to reduced efficiency and performance. A sabbatical helps break that cycle, allowing you to return with a renewed focus and clearer priorities. You’ll likely be more effective in your work after having had time to recharge and refocus.
What I’m Finding: Frankly, I feel less focused now. I’m someone who becomes more organized and gets more done when there’s a lot going on. Those days that I have a few meetings and a couple of to dos feel very productive. Whereas when I have a wide open schedule, some tasks grow to fit the time allowed. That being said, that could be more a reflection on not having defined goals. I didn’t define goals for my time off on purpose because I knew I needed to decompress first before jumping into new projects. I did, however, just sit down to do some end-of-year reflecting and planning. It feels good to put some big things down on paper, things I would never have the time or energy to do when I was working full-time. I also feel more energized each day knowing I’ve got some things to work towards.
Reflect on Your Career & Life Goals
Speaking of goal planning…one of the greatest benefits of a sabbatical is the opportunity to step back and assess where you are in your career and life. Are you still heading in the direction you want? Are your daily tasks aligned with your long-term goals? A sabbatical provides the time for deep reflection and personal growth. It allows you to think strategically about the future, whether that means pursuing new career opportunities, switching industries, or simply finding a better work-life balance. The clarity you gain during this time can be invaluable for making intentional choices that better align with your values and aspirations.
What I’m Finding: I did a lot of this reflection before I left work. I wanted to make sure that my time off would allow me to explore things that I thought were more important than the job I was doing. Right now, I feel like I don’t know exactly what I want to do next, but that I need the time and space to discover it. I had some ideas and now I’m dabbling in them to find out what direction I really want to go. I have so many interests, sometimes it’s tough just to narrow them down!
Strengthen Relationships & Foster New Experiences
During a sabbatical, you can also focus on strengthening personal relationships or embarking on new experiences. Many people find that taking time off allows them to reconnect with family and friends or develop deeper connections with their communities. Whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones or traveling to new places, these experiences enrich your life in ways that work often cannot. A sabbatical offers you the space to cultivate these relationships and experiences, which can contribute to a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose.
What I’m Finding: I’ve been able to spend more time with a few of the people I love. For example, every other week we tend to have people over to play board games on a week day. It feel completely badass to be playing while everyone else has to work. But that’s the problem, many of our friends are still at work or school so they don’t have unlimited time. It’s just as hard to schedule time with them.
On the mental health front, I also want to say that you need to know yourself when you step away from the daily relationships you have at work. I’m a fairly social person and I thrive when around other people, collaborating and solving hard problems. I have only partially replaced that need so far and I need to find other communities to help fulfill my relationship needs now that I’m not working.
Explore Other Career Opportunities
For some, a sabbatical isn’t just about rest—it’s also about exploring new possibilities. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business or pursuing a different career path. A sabbatical gives you the freedom to explore those opportunities without the pressures of your day job. Whether you use the time to take classes, work on a personal project, or network with others in a different industry, you might discover a new passion or career direction. Even if you decide to return to your previous role, you might bring back a fresh perspective that can make you more engaged and fulfilled.
What I’m Finding: This is exactly why I’m off work right now. I’m not sure I ever want to go back to full-time employment, but I would like to be working in some capacity. Right now I’m teaching at UW-Madison, writing and dabbling in a couple of ideas that could turn into companies someday. It’s fun to try things out and have the time to do that!
Rebuild Physical Health
A sabbatical isn’t just about mental rejuvenation—it’s also a great time to focus on your physical well-being. When you’re caught up in the daily grind, it’s easy to neglect exercise, sleep, and proper nutrition. Taking time off from work allows you to prioritize your health. Whether it’s adopting a regular fitness routine, focusing on better sleep habits, or simply allowing yourself to rest, a sabbatical can serve as a reset for your physical health, which in turn can improve your energy levels and overall well-being.
What I’m Finding: Let me tell you, it feels great to not have an alarm most days. My sleep patterns have improved tremendously. I also originally thought I’d have hours a day to spend on exercise and eating right. If I have the time to focus on health, I’ll get healthier, right? Um, wrong. First of all, I’m still the same person I was before. All of the habits I’ve built still drive what I do day-to-day. I’ve been able to add swimming and yoga to my routine and I’ve found some ways to better listen to my body’s food needs (I’m on an anti-diet / intuitive eating path now), but that journey is going to take a lot longer than I expected. Having time to focus on health in no way fixes your bad habits. Fixing your bad habits fixes your bad habits.
Reignite Your Sense of Purpose
Over time, it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing what you do. A sabbatical gives you the chance to reconnect with your sense of purpose and remind yourself of the bigger picture. Is your work still aligned with your values? Are you contributing to something that truly matters to you? These kinds of questions can be difficult to answer when you’re caught up in the daily hustle. A sabbatical offers you the time to reflect deeply on what truly matters to you and how you can live a more purposeful, fulfilling life.
What I’m Finding: I have two big initiatives I want to move forward in the world: protecting the planet from global climate change and improving rights for women everywhere. I’m currently trying to figure out where to focus my time. I’m realizing that inspiration doesn’t strike exactly when you want it to. I need to actually try things and let time go by (probably) before I realize what I’m suppose to be doing with the bulk of my time. Finding your purpose is not a mystical one-time event. I think it’s about following the best path that you know of today and adjusting along the way. That’s what I’m trying to get comfortable with right now.
A Sabbatical Can Be a Game Changer
A sabbatical is more than just a break—it’s an investment in your long-term health, creativity, and success. Taking time off can help you prevent burnout, reignite your passion, and gain a fresh perspective on both your personal and professional life. In today’s high-pressure world, stepping away from work isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy for maintaining balance, staying engaged, and ultimately thriving.
I’ve been off of work for seven months and I am nowhere near ready to go back yet. Everyone’s sabbatical needs are different. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uninspired, it might be time to consider taking a sabbatical. The clarity, rejuvenation, and new insights you gain can be just what you need to return stronger and more focused than ever before. Next week, I’ll talk about how to prepare for a sabbatical, so you can take one knowing your finances are in order and you’ve got a great plan for it.
If you’re already on sabbatical, how is it going? What have you discovered by taking time off?