In today’s episode, I explore something that affects so many of us but rarely gets the attention it deserves – knowing when it’s time to take a break from work. While our always-on culture makes stepping away feel impossible, I’ll share why taking a strategic break might be the most productive move for your long-term career success.

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I guide you through five clear signs that indicate you need a work break – not just a vacation where you’re checking email poolside, but a true, intentional step back to recharge and reset. I also provide actionable insights on what to do if you recognize these signs in yourself.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why needing a break isn’t a sign of weakness or failure, but often a sign of self-awareness and leadership
• How physical symptoms like insomnia, frequent headaches, constant fatigue, digestive issues, and getting sick more often can be your body’s way of saying “enough”
• What emotional exhaustion looks like – feeling empty, cynical, or detached – and why you can’t think your way out of it
• The irony of declining performance despite longer hours and what neuroscience tells us about why our brains require periods of rest
• How disconnection from purpose and meaning in your work can signal burnout rather than a true misalignment
• Why an inability to unplug – checking email during dinner, thinking about work in the shower, feeling anxious when trying to relax – indicates work has expanded beyond healthy boundaries

You’ll also hear personal reflections about my own experiences with recognizing when it’s time to pause in order to move forward stronger.

TIMELINE

• 00:00 The Importance of Taking a Work Break
• 02:20 Recognizing Physical Symptoms of Burnout
• 05:09 Understanding Emotional Exhaustion
• 07:57 Declining Performance and Overworking
• 10:00 Disconnection from Purpose and Meaning
• 11:49 Inability to Unplug and Enjoy Time Off
• 13:43 Strategies for Taking a Work Break

At the end of the episode, I introduce my comprehensive guide, “Taking a Work Break Without the Panic,” which provides everything from understanding your legal rights and benefits to creating a communication strategy to planning your return to work after a break.

Get your guide:

Visit kimberlybonline.com/workbreak and use code YourNextMove to get 50% off my comprehensive guide “Taking a Work Break Without the Panic” or click the link in the show notes.