There's nothing to be gained by going back too soon. Re-orient your lifestyle. Do activities less out of obligation and more because they're good to do and you choose to do them. Spend casual, relaxed time with close friends, your partner and children-time that doesn't involve achieving a task. Take time to play, whatever that means to you.
Teachers often describe the peak of accumulative stress as a breakdown.
Later in the healing process, they may describe it as a breakthrough. It's a breakthrough to choose a liveable balance of work and play, family life and school life. It's a breakthrough to the courage to be. Peter Mullally is a Therapist of Counselling Services at the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.