Example: $3,000 healthcare + ($5,000/mo × 25% productivity loss × 12 mo) + ($5,000/mo × 15% rate discount × 12 mo) + (20% client loss) = $3,000 + $15,000 + $9,000 + $12,000 = $39,000/year cost of burnout.
Sarah: Freelance designer, $5,000/month, severely burned out (8/10), 60 hrs/week.
Annual Burnout Costs: $39,000 (as calculated above)
Recovery Investment: 30-day sabbatical + therapy = $5,000
Lost Income During Recovery: $5,000 (one month)
Expected Post-Recovery: 50% improvement (less burnout symptoms), 20% rate increase
Year 1 with Recovery: ($5,000 lost) + ($5,000 investment) - ($19,500 savings from reduced burnout costs) + ($12,000 rate increase benefit) = +$1,500 positive
Year 2-5: $31,500 annual savings × 4 = $126,000 over remaining 4 years
ROI: 25x return on initial $10,500 investment
This calculator uses estimated burnout costs. Actual health impacts vary individually. Consult healthcare providers about stress-related costs specific to your situation.