ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the degree to which respites live up to their reputation as an opportunity to recover and replenish resources. Respite studies amass to a body of data clearly evidencing post-respite psychological well-being, as well as post-respite physiological well-being. This has been demonstrated for respites of various natures and length from an evening at home to a year-long sabbatical. However, beneficial respite outcomes affect more than the respiting individual; similar to their stress, strain, and burnout antecedents, they also crossover to family members at home, as well as to team members at work. The respite effect, it must acknowledge, is short-lived. The beneficial post-respite influence found on stress and burnout typically lifts within a month or so when levels of these types of strains return to their pre-respite levels.
