You know, it's not actually normal for actors to have back-to-back filming scheduled all year, every year. They do need some time off - some actual recuperation time, and time off to find their next project. It's the way the business works. A major blockbuster release and a major Shakespearean lead role in a year would be considered plenty of work by most actors.
Most of his Marvel co-stars have had a very similar work rhythm. Those big Marvel films are hard work, most of them take some time off after filming/promoting them.
I mean, he is a bit of a workaholic, like Cumberbatch, but after the stretch of work he had in 2011 and through 2012, he really did need some time off in early 2013. He did the same thing this year - basically took the first 3 months off (apart from meetings I am sure he was taking to line up future projects) to recover from making 3 films back-to-back.