For many clients, taking a short-term leave is a helpful option to get the rest and reset needed to recover from serious burnout.

In fast-paced industries, like consulting, banking and tech, maintaining a true work-life balance — or even a predictable 9-to-5 schedule — can feel out of reach. When you’re in an environment that rewards over-functioning and constant availability, it’s understandable that a short-term leave may feel like the best option. Often, it’s easier to step back completely for a time rather than try to manage things piecemeal, and a longer leave can mean that more meaningful supports are put in place for both you and your team.

A short-term leave can be an important act of self-care. It might give you the space to meet with your doctor to explore whether medication could help, or, if you’ve recently received a diagnosis like ADHD, for example, to adjust to a new treatment and establish supportive systems before returning to work.

It’s hard to build the scaffolding of support you need while you’re still immersed in the demands of daily work. Even taking the first steps, like finding a therapist or scheduling medical appointments, can feel overwhelming. A short-term leave offers the time, energy and breathing room to think through your needs, strengthen your routines, and set yourself up for a more sustainable balance, all while getting the deep rest and recovery that burnout can require.

The best way to start the leave process is to talk with your doctor about your mental health struggles. Your doctor is part of your support circle. Clients are often fearful that their doctor won’t fully understand what they’ve been experiencing. That is so, so normal when you’ve been trying to push through burnout. In my anecdotal experience, when your doctor knows you’re doing therapy and are implementing support, they’re eager to play a role in helping you take such positive steps towards self-care and better health.