Mental health vs. career: When to walk away
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | May 21, 2026
Sometimes a job that once felt manageable turns miserable. The “Sunday Scaries” bleed into the week. The exhaustion becomes unending, affecting every part of life outside of work. That’s when it’s time to consider choosing your mental health over career expectations.
In a Glassdoor Community poll, 93% of workers said they’ve stayed in a job they didn’t love because of the stability it provided. Yet, workers overwhelmingly acknowledge that mental health concerns can’t be ignored: In a separate poll, 74% of respondents said they had been forced to prioritize their mental health over their career at some point.
This guide can help you evaluate your mental health and workplace stress and determine whether it’s time to leave a toxic work environment.
The bottom line: You should consider walking away from a career for your mental health when your physical health deteriorates, you no longer recognize yourself outside of work, or you rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms to survive the day. Prioritizing your well-being is a strategic long-term career move, not a failure.
Prioritizing mental health at work starts during the job hunt
Job searching can feel like a full-time job, and it’s even more frustrating when financial pressure is involved.
“Trying to find another job hasn't been working - been looking for a year, trying to really evaluate fit. Had [one] offer I wanted, but couldn't make work financially. Now I'm just trying to work around depression, and it's...not going well. I don't even know what to do anymore.” — Coordinator
It can be tempting to accept any offer when you’ve been on the job hunt for a long time. Still, Glassdoor Community discussions repeatedly describe the same regret from professionals: Ignoring workplace red flags because they were desperate for stability.
What are the workplace red flags to watch for during an interview?
- Vague leadership — Managers cannot clearly explain expectations, feedback processes, or support systems
- Low self-awareness — Interviewers avoid admitting mistakes or growth areas
- Overwork normalization — Leaders glorify constant availability and blurred boundaries
- High employee turnover — Teams experience frequent departures with vague explanations
- Rehearsed corporate responses — Answers lack authenticity or specifics
- Disengaged employees — Workers appear exhausted, withdrawn, or disconnected
- Gut discomfort — You leave interviews feeling emotionally drained or psychologically unsafe
4 questions workers wished they’d asked before signing the offer
Asking questions about company culture and expectations can help you decide if a job is a good long-term fit. Be sure to document the company’s responses or send your questions via email so you can refer back to those answers if you later feel like your job has catfished you.
- What does a typical week actually look like?
- What does success look like in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How is remote or flexible work supported in practice?
- How is performance measured and communicated?
When asking a hiring manager any of these questions, keep in mind that answers may matter less than a defensive response.
Signs of job burnout that people often ignore
Burnout can build quietly through patterns that you start to normalize. Glassdoor Community members describe missing the early signs of job burnout because nothing felt too serious at first. Over time, those small signals grew into career-long exhaustion.
Some commonly overlooked warning signs include:
- Feeling emotionally numb — You’re no longer stressed, just detached or indifferent
- Lack of patience — Minor issues trigger major frustration or irritability
- Difficulty focusing — Even routine work feels mentally exhausting
- Social dread — The idea of meetings, messaging, and talking to coworkers feels draining before it happens
- Inability to recharge — Nights, weekends, or vacations don’t feel restorative
A recurring theme in Glassdoor discussions is that burnout often becomes visible only in hindsight — especially after stepping away. What once felt like “just a busy period” turns out to be months or years of sustained stress.
“I took a few months of leave several years back to focus on my mental health. It was getting pretty bad, and [I] didn’t even know how bad it was until I took the time off. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” — Senior Manager
Taking a mental health break from work can clarify what’s really wrong
It’s okay to hit pause. Don’t be afraid to use a long weekend, vacation time, or even take short-term leave to objectively evaluate whether your work environment is sustainable. You may not fully realize the impact your workplace has on you until you step away from it.
“For me, my leader was the one who told me to use my resources. 6 months STD approved… came back better than before… I’ve paid it forward… when I have one of my staff struggling… use your resources…” — Senior Vice-President, Wealth Strategy
“Sometimes you have to take some time out for yourself to recharge your batteries if you will and have a fresh new perspective.” — Full-Time Caregiver
“On leave now, and everyone around me keeps making comments about how much happier and more myself I seem.” — Senior Consultant
If you are struggling, talk to your manager or your human resources department about options for a mental health break.
Mental health and workplace stress can show up physically
Your body may notice burnout before your mind does.
| The signal | What it looks like in practice |
| Physical toll | Chronic headaches, sleep disruption, or digestive issues. |
| Emotional numbness | Feeling detached, indifferent, or no longer "stressed," just empty. |
| Social dread | Feeling drained by the mere thought of a meeting before it starts. |
| The "Sunday Scaries" | When work-related anxiety bleeds into your entire weekend. |
If you’ve developed chronic physical problems, ask yourself how your job might be impacting your health:
- Do I feel dread every time I have to return to work?
- Have I stopped recognizing myself outside of work?
- Am I exhausted even after resting?
- Is this workplace helping me grow, or only allowing me to survive?
- Am I turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with my job?
These questions can clarify whether you need stronger boundaries, outside support, or a career transition.
“When I was off for 2 months for shoulder surgery, and after the first week, I felt 20 pounds lighter from NOT being around the co-workers who have no empathy or compassion for our patients. The stress knotted in my neck was gone. I felt happy. I felt calm. I absorbed the love of my family and friends.” — Radiology 1
How to set boundaries at work without fear or guilt
Many people wait until they are completely overwhelmed before setting boundaries at work, but learning how to communicate your workload limits early is one of the most important ways to protect long-term well-being.
Boundary-setting does not need to be confrontational. In many cases, it’s about negotiating sustainability before burnout escalates. Try using language like: “I am currently at capacity for [X]. To maintain the quality of my output, we need to re-prioritize or extend the deadline.”
Clear communication helps shift conversations away from personal failure and toward realistic workload expectations, but workplace changes alone cannot solve every mental health struggle. If anxiety, depression, or emotional instability continue outside of work, seek professional support.
Choosing mental health over career: When it’s time to walk away
You don’t have to be a martyr for your company. Here are a few signs that it may be time to quit your job:
- Your physical health is deteriorating
- You no longer recognize yourself outside your job
- Persistent dread follows you into evenings and weekends
- You feel emotionally numb, detached, or constantly anxious.
Prioritizing mental health at work is not a weakness or failure. Walking away may require short-term sacrifice, but it can be a long-term strategic career move.
“I decided it was time when I realized I was drinking to forget the day I just had…almost every day” — Bozzuto 1
“I was on track to be a branch manager at one of the largest personal loan companies in the US. Ended up quitting and taking a summer off due to the extreme stress I was put under. I knew it was time when I started drinking a whole bottle of wine at night.” — Financial Services Officer
Pro Tip: The Financial Reality Check
While 93% of our community stays in jobs for stability, walking away is a financial decision as much as a mental one.
- Voluntary Separation: Remember that quitting voluntarily often makes you ineligible for unemployment benefits.
- Health Insurance: In 2026, ensure you have a plan for COBRA or a marketplace transition before the final "I quit" email, as mental health resources can be costly out-of-pocket.
Leaving a stressful work environment may not be enough to get you back on track. If you decide to leave before receiving a new offer, give yourself time to reset before diving into the job hunt. Taking care of your mental health now can set you up for success in the future.
Talk to fellow job seekers and professionals navigating burnout, workplace stress, and career transitions on Glassdoor Community.
Glassdoor Team
Our team of savvy experts are here to help you, whether you’re navigating your career or working to make your company culture shine. Glassdoor has the unique insights and guidance you need to experience your best worklife. Stick around to learn how to prepare for an interview, negotiate your salary, develop DEI programs, engage your employees, understand the state of the job market, and more. Check out our community to share and learn from professionals just like you too.
Tags:Career BurnoutCommunity InsightsMental HealthResignationWork-Life BalanceWorkplace Stress
