Signed off work - how can I make the most of the time?

[ProfessorofDarkArts]

For a number of reasons - some work related but not all - I have reached the end of my tether and been signed off work. I feel a huge relief but am already stressed about not wasting the time, I need to use it to make some pretty big decisions.

Part of the reason I've got here is that I've taken very little time off in the past 10 years despite going through a house move, divorce, death of a parent and more while trying to remain professional and support my team. I feel like I need a complete change but at the moment all I want to do is sleep. It's not like me to give in and I dont know what to do with the time now I've got it.

You don’t need to “make the most of the time”. You need to try and recover. If that means sleeping through it all so be it.

Make the most of it by learning to let go. Leaning into the fact that you need rest.

This time is for recovery. You won't make good decisions whilst still speed running towards burn out.

Sleep. That's clearly what you need. Then sleep some more. Then embrace a gentle hobby, no pushing yourself, no competing, no pressure.

I agree with @GargoylesofBeelzebub
I had time off a few years ago with a flare up of my cptsd. I needed rest and sleep and to let my brain try to switch off for a while.
If you broke your leg you'd let it rest to recover wouldn't you?

If your body is telling you to sleep then sleep

Depends on whether you have kids and if you plan to go back within 2 weeks or 2 months?

If it were me I’d have a plan like this:
—Spend time resting for a day or two
Get out for a sunny morning walk before it’s busy
Plan healthy and delicious food for each day
Line up some good books and programmes
Exercise every day in addition to the walk - especially yoga and swimming
do something artistic or creative
plan house tasks

If there’s low mood, you want to be looking at the very basics of activity such as achievement , connection and enjoyment (foundation of low mood activity)

if there’s anxiety id be focused on resetting my body and then working towards building capability in the areas that cause me the most anxiety

if money allows I’d also be booking a massage, reflexology , sound bath, yoga day, everything that makes me feel good
lots of self care face masks etc etc

You need to sleep. And then sleep some more. Then maybe read a book / listen to a play on the radio / watch some tv. Then sleep some more.

The reason it has come to this is because you didn’t take the time your body and mind needed in the past. Trying to “make the most of it” by dashing about or working through a to do list or making big decisions will just make things worse.

You need to get better - that is why you have been signed off. So sleep and rest and nourish your soul.

If it’s more complex mental health then I’d be following recommendations from my support team or experts on mental health - making sure that everything I did was compassionate to myself and realistic in terms of impact on others

Don’t punish yourself for being exhausted though, rest and work towards things gently where possible
the aim is to get back into life but it doesn’t have to look the same, the aim is to be in a better position hopefully x

Sleep, eat well and get some fresh air.

I think when you are feeling less tired I would tackle something you have been putting off, sorting out your wardrobe and clearing it out for instance. A task that can give you a sense of accomplishment but isn’t overwhelming.
I think fresh air and sunlight is good so I would try and get even a very short walk every day.

can you say how long you’re signed off for as that makes a big difference.

Have to agree with those saying to go for a walk outside. On my first day after being signed off with stress I met some friends for a coffee nearby. After leaving them I realised that I didn’t want to go home yet so I went for a walk. I walked for hours. I bought some fresh fancy bread and some flowers. It really helped to clear my head.

The time is to get yourself into the right place physically and mentally to make the decisions you say you need to make. So step 1 is to look after yourself by maximising rest, eating well, exercising outdoors, seeing friends who you trust and will improve your mood.

I’m signed off for 4 weeks initially.

Sleep, exercise, nutrition, therapy, good quality people, routine. Work in the basics, baby steps

I recently took some extended time out and I did practically nothing. I was just burnt out. I took each day as it came and how I found myself feeling. Some days i went out, some days I did very little. Don't put any pressure on yourself.

Plan nothing. Take each day at a time. If you need to sleep today, do it. Tomorrow is a different day and you might feel you need something different tomorrow. Recovery takes time. Permit yourself to stop and be.

Sleep and some time in nature and trying to eat reasonably healthy food for the time being. Now is not the time to 'make the most of the time'.

I had 3 months off from burnout last year. First week or two was lots of sleeping and crap TV, with some walks thrown in. As I started recovering, more meetings up with friends and doing the jobs around the house that bothered me but I was usually too busy to tackle.

And don't go back too soon. I went back and ended up having to go off again.

Listen to your body and sleep. Find some books to read, TV series to binge. Rest. Sleep some more. Doing these things are not a waste of time but probably very important in terms of recovering. Wishing you well.

A really good use of your time is listening to your body, and allowing yourself to do what it needs. Are you getting any support? If not, maybe look for a therapist too. Hope your journey to recovery is smooth.

I’ve been offered therapy but I’ve never found it massively helpful, likewise medication - there are specific problems that have brought me here, it’s not because there’s something going wrong in my head.

Rest, nature, yoga if it's your thing, but don't try to do too much. I slept for the first week (when kids out the house) of my gardening leave under similar circs.

How about a coach? They could help you figure out changes you could make so you don't end up burnt out again in the future.

Don't stress yourself out more. This time is to prioritise your recovery. Do things that help your mental health. My doctor suggested gentle exercise and fresh air so I tried to go for a walk everyday, if I didn't have the energy i would just spend some time in my garden. Indulge your hobbies, do things that make your happy and rest. When I went back to work I used some distraction techniques (snapping an elastic band on my wrist was a favourite) but also had a colleague who was able to spot my stress a mile off and would be right there to cover if I needed a time out.

It’s ok if it’s not helpful, but just to say that everyone who has therapy is there because of things that have happened to them. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It sounds as though you could cut yourself some slack. Take care

Sleep, rest, sleep, repeat.

If you spend the whole time telling yourself to be constructive, you aren't really signed off at all. Letting go is the real 'task' you need to accomplish for now.

Perhaps later on in your leave you will move towards the other tasks that are concerning you; perhaps not. But you will be sabotaging yourself if you don't begin by stepping back.