@Edent I wonder if what you want is similar to the concept of sabbatical for academics. Sabbatical definitely involves some refresh/recharge, but also usually a career-related plan (e.g., research for a book project, or learn fundamentals in an adjacent field). So, that may or may not be the kind of "gap year" you have in mind. Either way, if you can say it was a sabbatical, that could definitely help explain it when you want to return to work.