What’s the worst part of a holiday? It’s that they always feel too
short and eventually have to come to an end. Just when you were starting
to unwind, establish a holiday routine, adjust to the time zone, pace
of life, food and climate, you get the reminder email for your flight
back home! That’s one of those emails we wouldn’t mind losing to spam,
right?
Of course, after a holiday, many feel refreshed and energized, and are looking forward to the new challenges. But for others, coming back from holiday can bring about a different set of health concerns. Needless to say, having to face the 542 urgent emails, stacks of unopened mail (bills?), 23 voices on the answering machine, depressed house plants and dirty laundry can be quite a daunting task, coupled with the deep desire to still be on that paradise island which had been so hospitable to you and your family, can result in a temporary psychological experience known as Post Holiday Blues (PBH).
Some of the main symptoms of PHB include:
• A persistent sad or ‘empty’ mood
• Loneliness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Weight loss or weight gain, change in appetite
• Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
Of course, after a holiday, many feel refreshed and energized, and are looking forward to the new challenges. But for others, coming back from holiday can bring about a different set of health concerns. Needless to say, having to face the 542 urgent emails, stacks of unopened mail (bills?), 23 voices on the answering machine, depressed house plants and dirty laundry can be quite a daunting task, coupled with the deep desire to still be on that paradise island which had been so hospitable to you and your family, can result in a temporary psychological experience known as Post Holiday Blues (PBH).
Some of the main symptoms of PHB include:
• A persistent sad or ‘empty’ mood
• Loneliness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Weight loss or weight gain, change in appetite
• Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
How to fight PHB
One of the first things we should do after returning from holiday, is to unpack immediately. There is nothing more daunting than having to trip over and stare at the not so impressive left over remnants of our holiday. Most peoples’ suitcases look very different on the way back compared to the neatly arranged, folded, compartmentalized and labeled travel companion that we leave with. So unpack and settle in as soon as possible. In addition, you should prolong the holiday feeling rather than letting it abruptly end. So invite friends and family over to share pictures and interesting stories with them so that you can relive the holiday experience. By bringing back souvenirs, such as food items, little artifacts or fridge magnets, you can create moments of ‘holiday while at home’ to temporarily tap into those feelings of peace and serenity.
One of the first things we should do after returning from holiday, is to unpack immediately. There is nothing more daunting than having to trip over and stare at the not so impressive left over remnants of our holiday. Most peoples’ suitcases look very different on the way back compared to the neatly arranged, folded, compartmentalized and labeled travel companion that we leave with. So unpack and settle in as soon as possible. In addition, you should prolong the holiday feeling rather than letting it abruptly end. So invite friends and family over to share pictures and interesting stories with them so that you can relive the holiday experience. By bringing back souvenirs, such as food items, little artifacts or fridge magnets, you can create moments of ‘holiday while at home’ to temporarily tap into those feelings of peace and serenity.
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