At some point or another, you may have thought about taking a break from your work – whether it is because you need some time off, want to travel and so on. It may also be because you are having a child soon, and want to be at home with them for a while. Regardless of the reason, if you are considering taking a break from work, it is imperative that you have a plan in place. If you act impulsively and don’t have a plan in place, your time off might not be as relaxing as you imagined. In fact it may actually lead to more stress. So in that case, if you are thinking about taking a break from work, here’s what you need to know to avoid experiencing any stress.

• Set up a contingency fund beforehand:

Just because you take a break from work doesn’t mean your expenses will cease to exist. So it is essential that you set up a contingency fund to cover these for the time you will be taking off. The first thing you need to do is calculate your monthly payments. This includes expenses towards your bills, rent, groceries, EMIs, insurance premiums and any other obligations that you may have. Then think about how long you want to take a break for. If you plan on taking a break for 6 months, set aside funds for up to 10 to 12 months as you can’t be certain that you will be able to get a job immediately. If you want to travel, factor in the funds you will require while setting up your contingency fund. 

• Consult a financial advisor:

When it comes to organising your finances towards taking a break from work, it will be to your benefit to consult a professional financial advisor while planning. In today’s world, working with a professional when it comes to your finances has become extremely affordable, and will ensure that you don’t make any mistakes or overlook certain things which can cause you stress later on. 

• Use your extra time to enhance your knowledge:

During your break from work, you should think about how you can work on improving yourself. While you are away from the workplace, you can use some of your time towards re-evaluating your current skill set and educating yourself to include new ones. By working on your knowledge base during the time off, you stay ahead of the curve and return to the workforce with more to offer. This is especially pertinent in today’s fast paced world, where the required skill set to land a job is constantly evolving. 

• Don’t let go of your professional network:

Since the break you are on is only temporary, don’t cut ties with your professional network. Use these relationships to be in tune with the current state of affairs in your industry, and to look out for any opportunities when it’s time to get back. More often than not, getting a job has a lot to do with the people you know and you don’t want to risk losing these connections. Maintaining these ties will also allow you to retain familiarity with the professional world, and not be taken by surprise when it is eventually time to return. 

So remember these points if you are thinking about taking a break from work, and your time off will be less stressful. When it is time to get back into professional life, you will be prepared for whatever challenge comes your way.