What is a sabbatical exactly?

A sabbatical is a longer period of time off work (several months to a year) with the aim of, for example, relaxation, personal development, or recovery from a burnout.

How can you fill a sabbatical?

You can travel, do volunteer work, work on a passion project, learn new skills, or use the time to relax and reflect.

What should you consider before taking a sabbatical?

Take into account the financial consequences, the temporary absence from work developments, and the fact that returning to the workplace may take some getting used to.

Does your employer need to approve a sabbatical?

Yes, if you want to return to the same company, your employer must officially approve your sabbatical. It often helps if you can explain what it brings you and possibly the company.

Body & Mind

Taking a sabbatical? This is what it can really mean for you

Q: What are the benefits of a sabbatical?

A sabbatical can contribute to your mental and physical health, helps reduce stress, provides space for new hobbies and perspectives, and ensures that you return more productive and wiser.

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woman relaxed in a chair, on vacation reading a book summer outfit and sunglasses on

Going on vacation and taking a break from your work is nice, but often relatively short. Just when you finally manage to let everything go, the return flight is already scheduled. To truly relax or develop yourself, you will need to take a longer period away; and thus choose a sabbatical. Quite a significant choice, but according to experts, one that can be very beneficial.

A sabbatical is not just a work break

When you take a sabbatical, you take a few months or even a year off from your This is how you recover from a bore-out:. But it is more than just a break from your work or a long vacation where you can just lean back. During a sabbatical, the intention is that your personal development takes priority. Therefore, you should also think carefully in advance about how you want to fill your time and what your goals are. Employers often appreciate knowing this; they need to approve your time off, especially if you want to return to the same boss. They probably won't just let you go for a few months without any idea of what it will bring you, and perhaps even the company.

The different types of sabbaticals

According to research from Harvard, you can actually divide sabbaticals into three different types, each with a different focus and goal. For example, you can choose to fill your time with volunteer work or another type of passion project. In this case, you are partly still working, but you also have enough time for your social life. Another option is to travel and use that to completely reset yourself. The idea is to really take the time to relax, reflect on where you currently stand, and think about what you would still like to do or achieve. A sabbatical can also have a heavier purpose. For example, if there is a burnout, this could be the time to work on recovering.

What are the benefits of a sabbatical?

You can fill a sabbatical exactly in a way that suits you and your wishes, and thus work on your personal development. But that's not all. Such a longer break can also be good for both your mental and physical health; and that in various ways.

1. Focus on healthy habits
In your busy work schedule, you may not always find time to get enough sleep or prepare a healthy meal. During a sabbatical, you are not bothered by meetings that run over or tasks that suddenly land on your plate. This gives you the space to incorporate healthy habits into your routine and focus more on your sleep, nutrition, and physical activity.

2. More time to train your body and mind
Despite the fact that we always intend to do it, after a long day at work, you often end up having no energy left to go to the gym . You can't use that excuse during your long break anymore. It is actually good to invest your time and energy in this type of training and work on your body. Taking yoga classes is also a good option, as it helps your mental well-being get back on track.

3. Reduce stress
Sometimes to-do lists seem endless and every day feels like you are running out of time. Completing all your tasks and meeting your obligations can then lead to a lot of stress. By not feeling that pressure for a longer period, your body can release that tension and recharge completely.

4. Discover new hobbies
Working on your personal development can also mean exploring whether there are new hobbies that energize you. A sabbatical is therefore the ideal time to take some workshops or trial classes and fill your free time in a new way.

5. Discover new places
A commonly chosen way to spend a sabbatical is to travel. During such a break, you are free to go wherever you want. You can discover new places abroad, but you can also look for them closer to home. Perhaps you will get to know your own city all over again.

6. You gain new perspectives
With a full agenda, you tend to live a bit on autopilot. This can cause you to sometimes forget to look around and pay attention to other things. A sabbatical can therefore be beneficial to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Now you can fully focus on your family, friends, and yourself and what is important for that.

7. You return more productive and wiser
Your employer can also benefit from you taking a break. Because the focus is so much on personal development, you will get to know yourself better. You will return with more knowledge about what you can and cannot do well, what you enjoy, and what you especially do not want to do anymore. All those insights, and that new energy, can help you move forward in the workplace.

You should keep this in mind

A sabbatical has many advantages, but it is still good to think about it before you choose it. During this long break, you will not be paid, and you need to be financially prepared for that. You will also be away from the office for a while, which means you will miss developments there, both in terms of work and socially. Returning to the workplace can also take some getting used to. It shouldn't hold you back from choosing a sabbatical, but taking a moment to reflect on it can never hurt.

Source: Women’s Health | Image: @carodaur