Why do I feel so tired after the holidays?

The ancients said: "When you need to use your knowledge, you will regret not having read enough." The same goes for holidays - when you plan ahead, you always feel that the time is very long; when you finally relax and suddenly glance at the calendar, you realize that the holiday is almost over, and there are even only a few holidays left this year.

Image source:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanf/7135825811/

After the holiday, some people find themselves more tired than before the holiday. What's going on?

What is holiday syndrome?

Some doctors call it "Post-Vacation Blues". This is not a strict term, nor does it represent a clinical disease; it is just a name given to similar phenomena for the convenience of description.

Many studies have shown that vacations are good for the body. The benefits are reflected in the physiological level, such as a healthier heart and a lower chance of heart attacks; they are also reflected in the psychological level, such as increased happiness and improved work efficiency. However, about 20% of people show some unhealthy signs after vacation.

These signals can be roughly divided into two categories. One is similar to the symptoms of depression, such as depression, strong nostalgia, and poorer appetite than before ; the other is similar to anxiety, such as being unable to sleep at night, always feeling upset, and sitting at the desk with attention drifting elsewhere.

Why does this phenomenon occur?

To be honest, the academic community has very limited knowledge about this, and there is no consensus yet. Based on the opinions of experts at home and abroad, there may be two reasons for holiday syndrome.

First, the holiday was not well spent.

Vacation is an event that may cause psychological stress. This year, the National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival are on the same day, and we have the custom of visiting relatives during festivals. Frequent social activities can also be a source of stress. Under the influence of stress, the body will secrete some hormones to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure in order to better cope with challenges. If the hormone secretion is too much, it will cause obvious discomfort, leading to behaviors such as overeating. This situation is also called "holiday stress syndrome".

The impact of stress on the human body, source: self-made by the author

Furthermore, many people choose to travel during the holidays. In order to keep cool, high-speed trains and airplanes use air conditioning; the air inside is relatively dry. Riding for too long may cause mild dehydration. China is vast and rich in resources, spanning five time zones from east to west. Traveling from coastal areas to Xinjiang and other places, the change of time zone may affect the secretion of melatonin, leading to a disorder of work and rest. These changes may not be noticed at the time, but will cause problems after the holidays.

Second, the holiday was wonderful, in stark contrast to everyday life.

Some scholars have proposed a cycle theory: before the holiday, our hearts are in a normal state, neither too happy nor too depressed; when we start to enjoy the holiday and get away from daily trivialities, the excitement and happiness gradually increase until they reach the peak; however, the holiday always has an end. When we return to daily life and have to face various affairs, it is inevitable that there will be a psychological gap.

What should I do?

Although holiday syndrome is not a disease, we can deal with it by following the principle of "treating the disease with the right medicine".

If you feel great psychological pressure during the holidays, you must learn to deal with it correctly, for example, change the way you spend your holidays appropriately . Some scholars believe that people like holidays because they are actually pursuing six kinds of happiness: detachment, relaxation, autonomy, control, sense of meaning and belonging. In other words, if these happiness are insufficient in daily life, we will find ways to make up for them during vacation. Excessive pressure means that the current arrangement is not suitable. You can try to adjust it according to your own situation.

If you travel a lot during your vacation, it is best to give yourself a transition period. During the transition period, reduce your workload appropriately, adjust your diet and work and rest schedule. If you sit in the car for too long, your lumbar spine and cervical spine may feel uncomfortable. It is best to go to the hospital for a check-up. Do some necessary exercises under the guidance of a doctor.

If you had a pleasant vacation but just find it hard to face your daily life, you can also set up a transition period. During this time, go to the park often, get close to nature, and look for "little happiness". You can also bring your vacation experience into your daily life. For example, if you ate a certain delicacy on vacation, you might as well try to make it yourself. The most useful solution is to write and share the positive experiences of the vacation. There are so many social media nowadays. Sharing your feelings with others without revealing too much privacy can make this happiness stronger and more lasting.

Writing about positive experiences during the holidays, source: self-made by the author

In short, holiday syndrome is not a disease, but a somewhat special state. As long as you deal with it properly, you will recover soon. Don't be afraid of vacation because of this - rest, especially regular rest, is good for your body and mind.

Author: Zhao Yanchang, freelance science writer

Editor: Guru