Holiday from a holiday, post-vacation blues

Holidays are a perfect getaway, a great fix to revitalise the soul to shift and kick-start the old energy into fervent rejuvenation. The best prescribed antidote away from the daily routine, holidays offer a wonderful respite to unwind, explore and indulge in new experiences.

However, if the holidays are wrought with an endless stream of activities, non-sufficient relaxing time and having to manage overtly demanding family members, post-holiday blues can easily bring on the need for a “holiday from a holiday”.

This humorously described common phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, which may contribute to post-vacation fatigue. With the desire to maximise experiences most of us cram our itineraries with events, activities, sight-seeing excursions and social engagements in an attempt to make the most of our time away.

While this can lead to unforgettable experiences, it can also be physically and mentally exhausting. The constant movement, coupled with navigating unfamiliar environments can leave travellers feeling depleted. A much more beneficial approach would be to embrace the minimalist route of simply enjoying peaceful and serene moments through connecting to our breath, calming the body and watching the world pass by.

Another contributing factor which also plays a significant role in post-vacation fatigue is handling travel logistics. Long flights, layovers and time zone changes can disrupt sleep patterns which can lead to jet lag. Dealing with unfamiliar territories, living without our homely creature comforts, the stress of packing and unpacking, car rentals, public transportation, language barriers and cultural differences can often add to our weariness. While these experiences are enriching, they also require a level of mental engagement that can be draining over time.

Moreover travelling with family, particularly with young children can become a juggling act. Ensuring that everyone is entertained, fed, comfortable and safe requires constant attention and energy. Parents often find that their "relaxing" vacation turns into a series of logistical challenges, whereby our own self-care finds itself at the bottom of the priority list.

Once the holiday is over, returning to the routine of daily life can feel unsettling. The transition from the freedom of late nights, unhealthy food and one too many missed working out sessions, can easily bring on anxiety as furthermore work and household responsibilities resume.

This post-holiday blues is a well-documented occurrence, where the contrast between the leisurely holiday and the structured daily life creates a sense of dissatisfaction and enervation. Sometimes, upon reflection of the holiday, we didn’t end up doing half the things we were hoping to do, more often having focused on others rather than ourselves.

While holidays are essential for rejuvenation and exploration, they can sometimes lead to unforeseen angst. It's important to honour your feelings, to schedule in some “me” time and to reflect on what can be done better next time to aid your mental and emotional relaxation. Make sure you plan a gentle transition and some buffer days at home with some deep downtime before returning to your back from holiday to-do-lists and commitments.