How To Fight Your Post-Vacation Depression

 

We never seem to take enough vacations, and we never seem to have enough time to truly enjoy them. The worst part of a vacation is returning home if being on vacation is the best part of it. Amazingly, more individuals don’t have post-vacation depression given the amount of laundry that must be done, the need to resume tasks, and the start of workdays once more.

 

You probably experienced the post-vacation blues, but did you experience depression? That feeling of overwhelm from “coming back from vacation” may have been from the time away making you feel less in love with your job, making your home feel a little more monotonous, or perhaps it was the unexpected influx of errands to catch up on.

 

You are most definitely not alone if you returned home a few days ago and are already looking up new places to visit on Google.

 

REASONS BEHIND POST-VACATION DEPRESSION

 

According to a long-term study, employment policies that permit 10 days of paid vacation time are linked to a 29 percent lower risk of depression among women.

 

Numerous studies have shown that taking a vacation can lower stress and improve your mood.

 

 

But here’s the result that many academics found to be rather unexpected: Happiness experienced while on vacation typically doesn’t stay. Within a few days after the vacation is done, people’s happiness levels return to normal.

 

Is taking a vacation a waste of time and money if the euphoria fades soon and you return to your normal life? Experts disagree. That query was likened to “asking why we should go to sleep even though we get fatigued again,” according to one assessment.

 

SYMPTOMS OF POST-VACATION DEPRESSION

 

Coming home from vacation, it’s typical to feel a little depressed, but post-vacation depression can manifest itself in many different ways.

 

Following a vacation, you could frequently suffer the following symptoms:

• stress
• anxiety
• sadness
• fatigue
• irritability
• difficulty sleeping
• lack of motivation
• loss of focus

 

So, how to deal with the vacation slump after all?

 

TREATMENT OF POST-VACATION DEPRESSION

 

1. Include an additional transition day before returning to work.

You never know when there will be an unexpected delay when traveling. Give yourself an extra day of “holiday” at home to recuperate and complete whatever duties you haven’t finished before going back to work.

 

2. Journal and photograph your journey.

Printing out the photos from your trip and putting them in an album are two options. Making a scrapbook of your memories can also be calming and reassuring. 4 In the future, you’ll be able to reminisce about your enjoyable holiday.

 

3. Prepare your home for departure.

Going home after vacation is difficult, but coming home to a list of household chores to perform is even more difficult. You may feel more at peace when you return home to a tidy house. 5 Spend a little more time cleaning up the house before you go on vacation so you can unwind when you get home.

 

 

4. Plan your self-care.

Spend a few minutes making a plan for the practices or activities you’ll use the week after your trip. You can control fatigue and post-vacation depression with the aid of a soothing bath, a warm beverage, a nice book, or other self-care activities.

 

5. Pay attention to getting enough rest

Although it’s simple to minimize the value of sleep, it might be difficult to remain productive when you don’t feel refreshed. Practice allowing yourself a window of eight hours to set up a relaxing environment and prepare for sleep.

 

6. Purchase special souvenirs

Think about bringing something special home from your trip. It might not be expensive, but it ought to serve as a reminder of the encounter. For instance, fantastic souvenirs that don’t take up a lot of suitcase rooms are ornaments, magnets, and coffee cups.

 

7. Find additional support

Plan a time to visit a friend or get in touch with someone you haven’t spoken to in a long. Your physical and mental health may benefit from having social support. If your symptoms persist for more than six weeks, you should also think about speaking with a doctor about the option of taking medication.