Originally Posted by Unregistered

I was about to give the same suggestion. My reasons would be:
1. A short break of 1 to 2 months should be more than adequate to recharge
2. A longer break, especially a year off, will mean a longer time to move back to gear. Your inertia will be greater. If you are in the high tech line, a year break could finish off your career!

People do take breaks, but professional breaks aka sabbatical - to work in academia or on secondment to another company.

At 42, and taking breaks for time off and do nothing is career suicide, unless it is a company sponsored activity like climbing Mount Everest for charity as well publicity for your company.