Have you been waiting for your vacation for months… and you get sick within the first few days? This phenomenon, known as “leisure sickness”, affects nearly one in five people after a period of intense work or exams.
Specialists believe that certain people are particularly exposed. This is particularly the case for perfectionists, those who have a strong sense of responsibility or who struggle to disconnect from work. “You don’t allow yourself to get sick, and as soon as you finally have the opportunity to relax, the symptoms appear,” summarizes career advisor Christina Kuenzle.
The phenomenon would be linked to stress. During periods of high pressure, the body produces more adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that keep the body on alert. When tension drops suddenly, significant fatigue, headaches or a cold can then appear. Some researchers also believe that early symptoms are simply ignored as long as work pressure is high.
Watch out for the last rush before the holidays
Other factors can contribute to this “vacation sickness”, such as lack of sleep before departure, long journeys, change in climate or exposure to new viruses during travel.
Even though “leisure sickness” is not a recognized medical diagnosis, experts recommend avoiding concentrating all your effort just before vacation. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, taking real breaks and planning a more gradual transition to vacation can reduce the risk. Companies also have a role to play, specialists believe, by limiting work overload before departures and by organizing real replacements.
