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Rachel V Thomas

Feeling Burnt Out At Work? A Short Break Every 2 Months May Help, Says Study

Feeling anxious, unable to perform well, and feeling <span>burnt out</span> at the workplace is a common problem facing employees slogging for over nine hours every day. But now, a study suggests that taking <span>short vacations</span> every two months can help reduce stress accumulation.

In a 2025 research paper titled “Maximizing Recovery: The Superiority of Frequent Vacations”, <span>Selvaraj Giridharan</span> from the Oncology Department at Tawam Hospital in Abu Dhabi suggests that taking short breaks can help improve mental well-being and boost work performance.

The study argued that instead of a long annual vacation, frequent short breaks are often more effective and help people mentally detach from work. This also helps them recover from burnout faster.

Researchers also found that the positive effects of vacations usually fade within a few weeks after returning to work, making regular breaks important for maintaining emotional balance and productivity.

"We emphasize how regular vacations facilitate recovery and enhance well-being, thereby reducing stress and improving performance. We advocate the integration of frequent breaks into workplace culture through practical strategies for both individuals and organizations," wrote study author Selvaraj Giridharan.

<h2>Long Working Hours Can Take A Toll On Mental Health</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-outbreak-university-of-glasgow-researcher-explains-why-bundibugyo-virus-is-concerning-article-154345470" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is Concerning</a>

Amid discussions around 70-hour work weeks advocated by industrialists like <span>Narayana Murthy</span>, the study comes as a breather.

The researchers, including experts from the National Health Service, stressed that sustained work-related stress causes significant psychobiological strain. This depletes physiological and psychological resources, manifesting as elevated cortisol levels, cognitive fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.

Without periodic recovery, this strain accumulates, increasing the risk of burnout, reduced productivity, and adverse health outcomes. India has seen several recent cases where <span>workplace stress</span> has affected people’s mental health, with some collapsing at work while others resorted to suicide.

<h2>Vacations Linked To Better Mood, Sleep, And Heart Health</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-wegovy-improve-survival-in-breast-cancer-patients-this-study-suggests-it-could-article-154343116" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Wegovy Improve Survival In Breast Cancer Patients? This Study Suggests It Could</a>

The paper cited a meta-analysis of 22 studies that showed that vacations provide substantial psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits.

It noted post-vacation reductions in exhaustion, improvements in mood, and increases in life satisfaction among employees.

The findings were found consistent with several studies which identified physiological improvements, including reduced cortisol levels, enhanced heart rate variability, and better sleep quality. These outcomes reflect mitigation of the physiological burden of chronic stress and position vacations as vital health interventions.

The researcher stated that vacations are essential for mitigating the psychobiological impacts of contemporary work and providing psychological, physiological, and cognitive advantages.

Although the duration of vacations is significant, frequent and shorter vacations are more effective in maintaining well-being through regular recovery, they said.

"This evidence-based perspective, rooted in effort-recovery theory, advocates strategic vacation planning by organisations and policymakers to prioritise workforce health. Societies should promote vacation policies that emphasise frequency in order to enhance employee well-being and performance,” the paper said.

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Feeling anxious, unable to perform well, and feeling burnt out at the workplace is a common problem facing employees slogging for over nine hours every day. But now, a study suggests that taking short vacations every two months can help reduce stress accumulation.In a 2025 research paper titled “Maximizing Recovery: The Superiority of Frequent Vacations”, Selvaraj Giridharan from the Oncology Department at Tawam Hospital in Abu Dhabi suggests that taking short breaks can help improve mental well-being and boost work performance.The study argued that instead of a long annual vacation, frequent short breaks are often more effective and help people mentally detach from work. This also helps them recover from burnout faster.Researchers also found that the positive effects of vacations usually fade within a few weeks after returning to work, making regular breaks important for maintaining emotional balance and productivity."We emphasize how regular vacations facilitate recovery and enhance well-being, thereby reducing stress and improving performance. We advocate the integration of frequent breaks into workplace culture through practical strategies for both individuals and organizations," wrote study author Selvaraj Giridharan.Long Working Hours Can Take A Toll On Mental HealthAlso read: Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is ConcerningAmid discussions around 70-hour work weeks advocated by industrialists like Narayana Murthy, the study comes as a breather.The researchers, including experts from the National Health Service, stressed that sustained work-related stress causes significant psychobiological strain. This depletes physiological and psychological resources, manifesting as elevated cortisol levels, cognitive fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.Without periodic recovery, this strain accumulates, increasing the risk of burnout, reduced productivity, and adverse health outcomes. India has seen several recent cases where workplace stress has affected people’s mental health, with some collapsing at work while others resorted to suicide.Vacations Linked To Better Mood, Sleep, And Heart HealthRead More: Can Wegovy Improve Survival In Breast Cancer Patients? This Study Suggests It CouldThe paper cited a meta-analysis of 22 studies that showed that vacations provide substantial psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits.It noted post-vacation reductions in exhaustion, improvements in mood, and increases in life satisfaction among employees.The findings were found consistent with several studies which identified physiological improvements, including reduced cortisol levels, enhanced heart rate variability, and better sleep quality. These outcomes reflect mitigation of the physiological burden of chronic stress and position vacations as vital health interventions.The researcher stated that vacations are essential for mitigating the psychobiological impacts of contemporary work and providing psychological, physiological, and cognitive advantages.Although the duration of vacations is significant, frequent and shorter vacations are more effective in maintaining well-being through regular recovery, they said."This evidence-based perspective, rooted in effort-recovery theory, advocates strategic vacation planning by organisations and policymakers to prioritise workforce health. Societies should promote vacation policies that emphasise frequency in order to enhance employee well-being and performance,” the paper said.

feeling burnt out at work? a short break every 2 months may help, says study

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