Going from extreme to hustle to explore a new country, destination, culture, and back to ‘boring’ reality can be quite daunting. Not all of us can travel continuously, so for some people post-vacation depression comes like a slab that sits on their backs and robs them of all the joy and good vibes they had enjoyed on vacation days.
It affects more to individuals between 40 and 45 years old who start work abruptly (for example, come back on Sunday and start work on Monday), without an adaptation period (incredibly advisable after the holidays) and who are usually unhappy with their work (although it is not a sine qua non ).
We go back to work and routine
The post-vacation depression is very real. In the United States it is known as Post Holiday Blues . We translate it as post-vacation depression or syndrome.
This post-vacation depression is associated with a depressed mood and increased stress , among other things. While the most general symptom is usually a feeling of dissatisfaction with one’s life, it can also include short bouts of crying after the holidays are over.
Why do we feel post-vacation depression?
There can be a multitude of reasons why we feel depressed after the holidays. And they are totally valid; These are the reasons why it is so difficult for us to re-adapt to our normal lifestyle.
The symptoms of post-holiday depression can include some or even all of the symptoms at once, which can be: anxiety, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, headaches, sleeping too much or too little, changes in appetite, loss or gain weight loss, inability to concentrate, increased desire to be alone, and loss of interest in things that normally bring satisfaction or pleasure.
According to clinical psychologist Linda Blair, “it takes three days to relax when the holidays are over, and it will take a little time for us to dive back into real life.”
The sadness of leaving behind a new country or explored place, the friendships made along the way … all have the potential to make you feel depressed after traveling.
Nostalgia that happens to us after having an incredible trip and knowing that it is a once-in-a-lifetime memory weighs heavily on us.
Having to go back to the routine of life , to school lunches, to school or to work, having to put washing machines again, do the shopping, prepare your own meals … Knowing perfectly that there are no adventures or emotions waiting for us days and that some days will be really “boring”, all skipped with unforeseen events and housework everywhere.
How to beat post-vacation depression
Above all, give yourself time to get used to your daily routine again. Sudden immersion in daily routines without having rested for a few days after returning from vacation is inadvisable and adjusting to your usual life.
Importantly, it is quite normal to feel depressed after traveling. Also, you have to take into account jet lag. It takes a few days for the body clock, located in the brain, in the hypothalamus, to adjust to the timing of light and dark both at our destination and on the way back, and this interrupted rhythm causes a series of unpleasant symptoms, such tiredness, headache, disorientation, poor concentration and indigestion. So the best advice is to allow a few days to adapt and, if that is not possible, allow yourself at least one day to be at home and calmly recover from the trip.
