Burnout Is at Record Highs—Especially for Women
Burnout has reached an all-time high, with 75% of workers reporting they have experienced it, and 36% of organizations failing to address it. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected, juggling professional responsibilities with personal and societal expectations.
Sabbaticals are emerging as a powerful tool for combatting burnout. A Harvard Business School study found that over 75% of people offered a sabbatical by their company returned to work—recharged and more engaged. Yet, many women return from their time off wondering: Did I truly make the most of it?
Healing Burnout: Why Sabbaticals Are the Key to Sustainable Well-Being
Organizations investing in sabbaticals see significant benefits:
✔️ Employees return with clarity and creativity – “When people came back, they were excited. Their minds were clear, they were able to solve problems and approach work in a different way.” – Amy Bohutinsky
✔️ Higher retention and loyalty – Employees who take sabbaticals are more likely to stay with their company.
✔️ Cost savings for businesses – Employee turnover is expensive, often costing 1.5–2 times an employee’s salary due to recruiting, hiring, and training expenses.
Companies Tackling Burnout
Companies like Microsoft, Bank of America, Patagonia and Adobe now offer sabbatical programs, recognizing that burned-out employees are less productive and more likely to leave. What is more, accordingly to the HR Magazine “In 2022 the CIPD’s reward management survey showed that 26% of UK organisations offer unpaid sabbaticals and 12% offer paid sabbaticals to all staff.”
The Regenerative Approach to Healing Burnout
empowered.travel offers a DIY sabbatical framework to ensure women return from time off empowered to set personal boundaries and make mindful decisions that support their long-term well-being. The methodology is inspired by:
✅ Japanese psychology, emphasizing self-awareness, simplicity, constructive action and resilience (a recent article in Euronews about our Japanese psychology-inspired sabbaticals)
✅ The Hero’s Journey, guiding women through personal transformation
✅ Regenerative living, fostering well-being while re-connecting to Nature and honoring planetary health
How to Take a Transformational Sabbatical
1️⃣ Step Away with Purpose – Use time off not just to escape but to evolve by reconnecting to the web of life on which we depend (“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.” – Joseph Campbell).
2️⃣ Follow the Hero’s Journey – Embrace challenges as stepping stones toward self-reflection and healing (“What stands in the way becomes the way.” – Marcus Aurelius).
3️⃣ Reconnect with Your Reason for Living – Let ikigai guide you toward meaningful work and a fulfilling life (Nietzsche noted: “He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.”).
4️⃣ Return with a New Perspective – Make actionable conscious changes (and take small, consistent steps everyday until you gain the momentum) so that burnout doesn’t creep back in (As Phil Stutz says: “So the best way to build confidence is to act.”).
Ready to Heal Your Burnout—For Good?
If you’re feeling exhausted, overworked, and disconnected from your purpose, it’s time for a different approach. empowered.travel interactive e-guidebook helps women not just recover from burnout, but empower themselves to transform their lives. Because true healing isn’t about taking a break—it’s about re-writing the story about your life you keep telling yourself, rediscovering your purpose, switching attention outwardly, co-existing with unpleasant feelings and taking constructive action everyday. You got this.
Additional Reading
Ps.: You may want to check out this research-based primer on getting the most out of an extended leave from work by one of the leading scientists exploring the theme of sabbaticals, DJ DiDonna, published on February, 5th 2025.
