'Quiet Cracking' At Work? The 43 Rule May Help

Stressed person in workplaceWork stress and pressure “always” or “often” affected just over a third (34%) of UK workers last year, with 91% experiencing acute periods of both at at least one point. That raises the risk of burnout, Mental Health UK says.No wonder experts say we’re seeing a rise in “quiet cracking,” or a slow but certain disconnect from work that happens when employees are burnt out.If that sounds like you, though, the “43 rule” – which sees workers optimise their annual leave to the best of its science-backed abilities – might help. What is “the 43 rule”?A 2025 paper published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that the benefits of holidays on our wellbeing last at least 21 days ― and maybe longer. In fact, the researchers found, the positive effects might linger for as long as 43 days (holidays which combined time at home with time away seemed to give longer-lasting results). Speaking to Stylist, business and coaching psychologist Hazel Anderson-Turner suggested that using that research to plan your breaks could result in happier, less burnt-out workers. It could also be a great way to beat “holiday hoarding” ― the accumulation of untaken days off that led just under two-thirds of UK employees to leave time off on the table last year.As Margaret Lewis, CEO at Sheffield Mind, said: “Holiday hoarding may be related to anxiety, the idea that we might need that time off to deal with an emergency, or that we’ll be judged by colleagues and management if we book annual leave.“But it can lead to burnout – and that’s no good for the individual or the organisation.”Does it have to be 43 days exactly?No – that’s just a good guideline for telling when you might become burnt out, or are in need of a break. But there are other signs too, like extreme feelings of envy when you see your friends and loved ones on a break, losing patience with your work and colleagues, and even poor sleep.Phil Coxon, Managing Director at Breathe HR, said: “We’re in a burnout epidemic. To protect our people and business performance, wellbeing cannot be an afterthought; it must be built into the core of how companies operate. Encouraging staff to take regular holidays is a huge part of this.“I don’t just mean a once in a blue moon reminder to take a break. Words must be backed up by action. Time off has to be genuinely feasible for staff and actively encouraged throughout the year.” From a personal standpoint, though, taking breaks when you need them can be key – and if the “43 rule” helps you, well, science has got your back.Related...5 Signs You're 'Quiet Cracking' At Work Without Realising It'Zone Zero' Exercise Is The Workout You Don't Even Know You're Doing – Here Are Its BenefitsIf You’ve Been Feeling Uninspired And Apathetic At Work, You May Be Experiencing This

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