Part 13 of From Burnout To Recovery: A 24-Part Video Series
How Long Will I Be On Medical Leave For Burnout?
How long does medical leave for severe burnout last? Learn why recovery usually takes months and how disconnecting from work can help.
Watch the two-minute video below to find out more.
Why It Is Difficult to Predict the Length of Your Medical Leave
My clients frequently ask me how long they will need to remain on medical leave for burnout. However, they are usually asking about more than how long it will take them to recover.
They are often asking how long they will have to tolerate being away from work. They have stepped away from their job, left their team to manage their workload, and may be experiencing intense guilt about the responsibilities they have left behind.
The question is therefore not only, “How long will my recovery take?” It is also, “How long will I have to tolerate being away from work?”
Two Weeks Is Not Enough Time to Recover
When I ask my clients how long they believe they can tolerate being away from work, many answer, “Two weeks.”
However, you will not recover from severe burnout in two weeks.
Severe burnout does not develop over a short period. It is not simply the result of working too hard or skimping on sleep for several months. When you think carefully about how long you have been pushing yourself, you will recognize that the pattern started many years earlier.
You may be able to look back to adolescence and recognize that you were already pushing yourself at 15 years of age.
Severe Burnout Reflects Years of Exhaustion
By the time medical leave becomes necessary, you are bone-weary. Your entire system is exhausted.
This is not situational tiredness or the kind of fatigue that follows a brief period of intense work. Your physiology is worn out, and recovery will take time.
The length of your medical leave therefore needs to be understood in relation to how long it took you to get into this condition.
A Realistic Burnout Recovery Timeline
Recovering from burnout within four months would be relatively fast. Eight months is a realistic estimate. Some people remain on medical leave for as long as two years.
You may recoil when you think about these timelines, particularly if you feel guilty about being away from work.
The answer may be difficult to accept, but you cannot heal from severe burnout quickly.
Letting Go Can Help You Recover More Quickly
The faster you are able to let go of work, the sooner you can begin to recover.
This means disconnecting from your job, allowing yourself to sleep, and accepting that your body may need 13 hours of rest a night for a substantial period of time. It also means no longer supporting those around you.
Remaining mentally or emotionally involved with work can significantly delay your recovery. Your system cannot recover fully until you stop carrying responsibility for your position.
Allow Yourself to Rest for as Long as You Need
You may feel pressure to return to work before you are physically ready. This can make it difficult to accept how much rest you need.
Burnout recovery requires allowing yourself to come to a full stop. You will need to sleep for long periods, withdraw from most of your usual responsibilities, and allow other people to manage without you.
The more fully you disconnect and rest, the sooner you will be back on your feet.
Considering Next Steps
Try not to measure your recovery against how long you believe you should be away from work. Instead, give your mind and body the time they need.
If you are struggling with guilt about being away from work or finding it difficult to let go of your responsibilities, consider working with a psychologist.
Related Articles
- This article answers important questions about burnout, medical leave, and what meaningful recovery requires.
- This post explains how to judge whether you are ready to return to work without jeopardizing your recovery.
Watch all Videos in the series:
