Is your job stressful? Do you find yourself working later hours, feeling tired and generally dissatisfied with your job? It’s a common feeling, and many people who have entered high-pressure careers soon find themselves wanting to take a step back.

Taking a step back doesn’t have to mean completely giving up your career. There are ways you can regain your work/life balance without having to sacrifice everything you’ve worked hard to achieve. Take control of your career and enjoy less stress with these suggestions for taking a step back.

Take a career break

It’s easier than you think to take a formal career break from work. Many employers have a policy that allows a career break of up to a year, which is common for mothers on maternity leave or those looking to pursue other options. Provided you’ve got the savings to cover you for a year, you can enjoy a career break to help you get your life back on track and take an extended holiday. When the year is up, you’ll hopefully realise what’s important in life and adopt a new approach to your working life.

Reduce your hours

Do you need to work as many hours as you are? Perhaps going part-time or trying flexible working could help you ease the stress of your career. High-pressure professions such as doctor or lawyer come with a lot of hours, but there are opportunities to take on part-time working.There will be times when life forces us to think about just how much work and time we are giving to our employer. If a parent or loved one is getting older and they need more support, you may need to reduce your hours to be a caregiver for elderly relatives or loved ones. Family should come first. Speak to your manager about reducing your hours and enjoy taking a step back while you free up more time to focus on your life outside of work.

Go freelance

Freelancing is becoming more and more popular as people look to design their own working lives. When going freelance, you start working for yourself and get to choose your own working hours and projects – leading to greater job satisfaction. Make the smooth transition into freelance to help you regain control of your career. As you approach retirement, freelancing can be a great way to step back and enjoy your last working years. Start off with a side hustle to see how things work out, before making the move into full-time freelancing.

Try something else

If your only option is to take a complete step back from your career, you should go for it. After years of working hard in one profession, choosing something with less stress and less responsibility can help you be happier while still giving you purpose. If you love being on the open road, consider truck driving as a new career – you’ll need a heavy rigid truck licence, but it’ll be worth it for a change of pace. Find something you enjoy that you know can pay your bills and don’t be afraid to sacrifice your career for your happiness.

Most of us deal with stress in our jobs, but if it’s getting too much, you need to make a change. Look at your available options for stepping back from your career to achieve that work/life balance that will keep your stress levels down and leave you happier in your job.