Work stress doesn’t usually arrive all at once. It builds quietly — longer hours, tighter deadlines, fewer resources, and the growing feeling that no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough. Over time, this pressure can lead to burnout, anxiety, panic, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of losing yourself.

Taking stress leave is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is often a necessary and courageous step toward protecting your mental health and restoring balance.

Common Signs You May Need Stress Leave

Many people push through stress far longer than their nervous system can handle. Some common signs include:

  • Feeling constantly overwhelmed or emotionally drained
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, or racing thoughts related to work
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
  • Irritability, emotional numbness, or frequent tearfulness
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, fatigue, or insomnia
  • Feeling unseen, unsupported, or undermined in the workplace

If these experiences feel familiar, your body and mind may be signaling that it’s time to pause and reset.

How Therapy Can Support Stress Leave

Stress leave is not just about stepping away from work — it’s about healing what led to burnout in the first place. Therapy during stress leave can help you:

  • Calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety and panic
  • Process workplace stress, conflict, or emotional injury
  • Understand burnout patterns and early warning signs
  • Rebuild emotional resilience and confidence
  • Learn how to set and communicate healthy boundaries
  • Develop coping strategies you can actually sustain

Working with a therapist provides structure, support, and guidance during a time that can otherwise feel uncertain or overwhelming.

Helpful Tips for Managing Stress Leave More Effectively

1. Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Stress leave is medical leave. You do not need to be productive, improve quickly, or justify your rest. Healing requires slowing down.

2. Create Gentle Structure

While complete withdrawal can increase anxiety, gentle routines help regulate your nervous system. Aim for consistent sleep, meals, and light movement.

3. Limit Work-Related Contact

Constant emails or updates can keep your stress response activated. Set clear boundaries around communication while on leave.

4. Practice Grounding Techniques

Simple grounding practices — such as deep breathing, sensory awareness, or short mindfulness exercises — can reduce overwhelm and bring your body out of fight-or-flight.

5. Reflect Without Self-Blame

Burnout is often a systems issue, not a personal failure. Therapy can help you reflect on workplace dynamics without internalizing blame.

6. Plan for a Supported Return

Returning to work too quickly or without changes can lead to relapse. Therapy can help you plan boundaries, accommodations, and expectations before returning.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Stress leave can feel isolating, confusing, or even shame-inducing — especially for high-functioning professionals. Having therapeutic support can make the difference between simply surviving leave and actually healing.

Angela Popovici offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy for individuals experiencing burnout, workplace stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. She supports clients throughout stress leave and helps them reconnect with themselves, regain emotional balance, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s a signal — and support is available.

👉 Book a session with Angela Popovici:
https://kaimanapsychology.janeapp.com/locations/alberta/book#/staff_member/4

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work stress, reaching out for support can be the first step back to feeling grounded and like yourself again.