Post-holiday depression is a situation that causes depressive feelings, such as sadness, refusal to work or excessive fatigue, right after returning from vacation or as soon as work or work-related tasks begin again.
These types of symptoms are more common in people who were no longer satisfied with their work before going on vacation, ultimately making it difficult to adjust to get back to work.
- While most people may feel a slight feeling of sadness at the end of the holiday.
- This does not mean they suffer from depression.
- As cases of depression are more severe and even affect productivity.
Symptoms of post-holiday depression may include
These symptoms can appear within the first two weeks of work, without being considered depression, since the person must re-adapt to the routine of tasks and concerns.
There are some steps that can help prevent post-holiday depression:
A way to control the discontent caused by the end of the holiday, the person can choose to divide the days he has in 3 periods and if it is possible to return from the trip a few days before the end of the holiday, for example, to adapt slowly.
Splitting the holiday into several periods also allows the person to start thinking about the next vacation and feel excited.
Starting or doing an activity that you like is also a great way to return more eagerly to your daily routine, in addition, certain activities such as going to the gym, doing sports or dancing, for example, keep the person distracted and with goals.
Day-to-day life can be as enjoyable as the times you’re on vacation, if you do other activities that make the person happy, such as being with friends and family and planning a walk, dinner or dinner with them.a trip to the movies, for example.
Practicing gratitude can provoke feelings of happiness and pleasure, simply by thanking daily the good things that happened during the day, which most of the time go unnoticed.
This daily practice leads to the release of hormones responsible for the immediate feeling of well-being, since a brain activation known as a reward system occurs, also decreasing negative thoughts, learns how to practice and what the benefits are.
Another trick to gain a little joy after returning from vacation, is to plan a walk in the city or spend a weekend, in a different destination than usual and quiet, such as the beach or the countryside, for example.
Review videos and photos taken during the holidays, remember some of the best moments we spent there or create a scrapbook with photos and memories of the local currency, museum tickets, shows or transportation is a good way to spend time and lift your spirits.
If what is causing these feelings is the return to work, not the end of the holiday, the best thing you can do is start looking for a new job.
If some time has passed and even with these tips, there is no improvement in how the person feels, you should consult a doctor or psychologist.
Taking vacation improves health as a continuous rest period away from the daily routine decreases stress, improving quality of life on the way back to work, especially in people with heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, anxiety., depression, burnout syndrome or nerve colitis, for example.
While this is a good time to rest and regain strength, returning from the holidays can be a critical phase due to the restoration of routine schedules and meetings; to avoid this discomfort, the last day of vacation should be used to reset the biological clock.