What HR Won’t Tell You About Taking Time Off (and Why Your Body Needs It)

We treat the 40-hour workweek like it’s some timeless truth.

But it’s not ancient wisdom, and it’s not biology.

It’s barely a century old — built for output, not health.

Before the Clock Took Over

Pre-Industrial life revolved around daylight, seasons, and necessity — not rigid schedules.

Work came in bursts: chores, meals, repairs, community, rest.  Even physically demanding days were punctuated with variety in movement, social connection, and true downtime.

When the Industrial Revolution hit, factories replaced seasons with shifts.  Henry Ford’s 1926 “40-hour workweek” wasn’t to protect wellness — it was to boost productivity and encourage consumer spending.

And we’ve been grinding against our biology ever since.

Biology vs. the 9–5

Neuroscience tells us the human brain is wired for 3–4 hours of deep focus per day — not eight straight hours in a chair.

Here’s why your body resists the grind:

• Neural pathways & dopamine – Our brains work in cycles of attention and reward.  Long, uninterrupted effort without recovery tanks dopamine, making motivation harder.

• Circadian rhythm – Energy peaks and dips across the day; pushing through dips triggers stress chemistry instead of creativity.

• Nervous system regulation – Chronic overwork locks you in “fight or flight,” keeping cortisol elevated and impairing healing.

• Cellular metabolism – Mitochondria slow ATP production under constant stress, fueling fatigue and brain fog.

This isn’t about willpower.  It’s about wiring.

My Wake-Up Call

I thought I could push through anything.

Work harder.  Sleep less.  Keep driving.

Until my body called my bluff.

One month, I was hit with a massive dysautonomia flare — dizzy, faint, couch-bound.  My body didn’t ask for rest.  It took it.

That was the day I realized: if you don’t listen to your body’s whispers, one day, you’ll be forced to answer its screams.

The Benefit You’ve Probably Overlooked

If you’ve been waiting for permission to step back from work, this is it.

You may already have access to FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) — a federal program that protects your job while you take unpaid leave to recover from a serious health condition (physical or mental).

Key facts: 

• Covers up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period 

• Protects your job and health benefits

• Applies to both physical and mental health needs

• You’ll need medical certification (your provider can help)

More on eligibility here: U.S. Department of Labor – FMLA

Your Move

You’ve earned your benefits with years of hard work.

If your body is telling you it’s time to rest — believe it.

FMLA isn’t a failure. It’s a tool for repair.

Take the time. Heal. Come back on your own terms.