Instead of Leaving Your Job, Take a Leave from Your Job

Many people quit their jobs in moments of emotional burnout, conflict, or exhaustion — but sometimes, what you truly need isn’t an ending, it’s a pause. Taking a short break instead of resigning can protect both your mental health and your career stability.


When stress hormones like cortisol stay high for weeks, your brain’s ability to make rational decisions decreases. You start to view every task, person, or challenge as unbearable. This is when impulsive decisions, like quitting, feel like relief. But neuroscience tells us that under stress, the prefrontal cortex — the rational part of the brain — becomes underactive. A small pause helps this area recover before you take a life-altering decision.


From a psychological perspective, taking leave allows emotional distance and cognitive reset. When you step away, your mind rebalances its perception of control. You may realize that the problem wasn’t the job itself, but chronic overwhelm, lack of rest, or accumulated emotional fatigue.


Many organizations underestimate the power of rest. Studies show that even a one-week break can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and burnout. That means the same workplace that once felt unbearable can start to feel manageable again once your nervous system is calm.


So before you submit that resignation letter, consider a different step — request a leave. Let your mind breathe, let your body rest, and let your emotions settle. Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from walking away, but from stopping long enough to see things clearly.


Keywords: job burnout, stress management, workplace psychology, emotional fatigue, mental health leave, neuroscience of rest, decision making under stress

Popular posts from this blog

Importance of emotional intelligence and self-reflection in social media research

Social media, although an imaginary realm in many ways, is deeply rooted in our real-world experiences. Consider a study where 20 participants are observed: 10 playing cricket live on a field, and 10 engaging in the same activity through a 3D virtual reality device from their beds. Interestingly, the MRI or fMRI results from both groups would likely show similar brain activity, as for the brain, both experiences are equally real. Our brain processes all experiences—real or imagined—as if they are happening in the present moment. Whether we are living life authentically or imagining it behind a screen, we are still engaging with our surroundings in a meaningful way. In this sense, we are our imaginations, and we are also our real selves. Research on social media presents its own set of challenges. People often base their judgments and assumptions on what has been said or done by others at a specific time. In this context, it’s easy for individuals to taunt, criticize, or even try to und...
Read more

Understanding Social Constraints: A Psychological Perspective on Conformity and Individuality

Human beings are inherently social creatures, driven by an innate desire for connection, validation, and belonging. However, the complexity of societal norms and cultural expectations often creates a clash between individuality and conformity. This conflict is particularly pronounced when an individual's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors deviate from societal expectations. Such experiences can lead to emotional distress, social ostracism, or even trauma, revealing the intricate interplay between psychology and cultural dynamics. The Burden of Societal Norms Psychologists often refer to the phenomenon of adapting to societal expectations as normative social influence. This refers to the pressure to conform to the beliefs, values, and behaviors that are widely accepted within a specific cultural or social group. While conformity can foster cohesion, it often stifles individuality, particularly in societies with rigid patriarchal structures or deeply ingrained traditions. For example, ...
Read more

The Unspoken Realities of Adulthood: A Psychological Perspective

Adulthood is not just about age—it is about understanding humans. It is the stage where you finally see through the masks people wear, where you realize that kindness is not just a virtue but a necessity. Every human craves validation, seeks superiority, and wants to feel important. Carl Jung put it aptly—life is a constant struggle for priority. Have you ever noticed how even the simplest debates turn into battles of ego? The winner walks away feeling triumphant as if they have won a grand prize, while the loser carries an unspoken wound. When I understood this, I stopped debating. I learned to simply say, "Yes," "You're right," "Okay fine," and move on. Because why waste energy explaining something to someone who lacks the capacity or willingness to understand? Knowledge is not for display—it is for personal growth. The Faces People Wear People are double-faced. It is not pessimism; it is reality. A person who is a friend to everyone is a friend ...
Read more