When faced with an impending burn-out, taking a sabbatical from work to try something new is good
Kristen Stewart announced she was taking a sabbatial from her film career
Hollywood actress Kristen Stewart recently announced that she would be taking a sabbatical from work. The actress explained that the past two years have been especially busy ones for her, and since she started in the profession so early, she never had the time to explore other creative aspects of her self. With our lives and careers becoming increasingly stressful, experts say that sabbaticals — a short break from routine work — are essential to prevent fatigue and burn-out. A sabbatical isn’t the same as a holiday, however. It’s taken with a specific intention, like learning new skills or completing a course.
Career and life coach Sana Khan explains the necessity of a sabbatical and says, “When a glass is full of water, you can’t pour more liquid into it. But empty it out, and you can fill it to the brim again. A sabbatical performs the same function for us, helping you to start over, with a refreshed state of mind.”Sana likens a sabbatical to a “calling” and asserts it’s nothing like a vacation. “You need to understand that aspect — that a sabbatical is about discovering a new side to yourself,” she says.
No matter how talented or passionate you may be about your work, pressure affects us all and the direct consequence of it can be seen in poor health, mental and physical exhaustion and the danger of a burn-out. But before you negotiate a sabbatical from your workplace, it is vital to clarify certain questions. “For a sabbatical to work for you, you have to know why you are taking it. Is it that you simply want some time off or is it a larger issue — for instance, not liking the way your career is shaping up? Knowing why you want a sabbatical allows you to plan for how long you want a break and the economics of it. It also allows you to make the most of it and experience the benefits (psychological and otherwise) that you can use consciously to plan your life better,” says life coach Khyati Birla.
Good planning is key to having a successful sabbatical, experts add. Life coach Chetna Mehrotra provides a list of dos and don’ts to keep in mind: “It is important you take stock of your finances and plan them well so that you can see through your sabbatical free from financial worries. Also, when you approach your employer for a sabbatical, it is very essential to mention a reason — avoid saying you’re feeling burnt out, instead mention a reason like skill upgrading, pursuing higher education etc. This reason should be something that will add value to your existing work profile or as a future skill addition.”
Chetna also advises scheduling a sabbatical when it isn’t a busy time of the year for your firm, and always specify the exact duration. When it’s simply impossible to take a long sabbatical, ensure you take mini-breaks that offer a change of scene and pace. Actress Parineeti Chopra uses such mini-breaks to unwind effectively. “I take a break even if I get only two days off from work,” she says. “When I’m not shooting, I go scuba diving. I also love travelling to new places.”
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