Burned out/Mushy head sounds nasty.

Take all the time off you need, walk around in the sunshine (is that possible in Seattle?) and cuddle those cats.

Be good to yourself.

Philip,
You actually astonish me with the quantity and quality of what you write here.

Note to lurkers: Due to low income I sent my pittance to Philip in two installments. PayPal makes it easy to do that and Philip doesn't seem to mind. I consider these contributions a subscription I give to myself. I derive great benefit from this site, in terms of information from the articles and in finding an intelligent and helpful support network from the commenters, many of whom float in the same boat as me.

I think it's great that you can recognize an oncoming spell of burnout and give yourself the necessary time to pick up a second wind - I tend to be a bit less attuned.

Be good to yourself.
I second Susan.

It's been gorgeous weather for the last week! Support this site, it's the best non-pharma funded via advertising mental health site on the 'Net authored by an award winning investigative journalist!

"I think it's great that you can recognize an oncoming spell of burnout and give yourself the necessary time to pick up a second wind - I tend to be a bit less attuned."

All it takes is time and practice, mindfulness and awareness and more time and practice. You get better the longer you try.

Sensitivity and awareness to one's own stress, moods and thoughts is the birthright of every human being.

Some are naturally gifted with more of it than others.

Nevertheless it can be acquired by just about anyone through deliberate intentional discipline.

It has to matter to you enough to try.