From beach to desk: Post vacation blues, are a thing.

September is now ending and even the last vacationers have slowly returned to their routines. Summer vacations now seem like a far-off dream, and getting back into the daily life rhythm, we know, can be really challenging. Ever wonder why it's so hard to get back into the swing after the holidays?

If you feel vulnerable, stressed, nervous and tired don't worry, you are not alone! It’s called "Post vacation blues" and is a real threat to well-being.

The main symptoms that may occur are:

• Sudden feeling of fatigue
• Discomfort
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Lassitude

Consider that it has been reported that about 10% of Italians experiences heavily post-travel depression. Possible concentration problems and the burden of newfound responsibilities cause the feeling of physical and mental heaviness which overwhelms every spectrum of our lives.

Scientifically speaking, what's going on in our body?

The blues is an endocrine-level reaction in our body, spread through the nervous system, when the brain realizes it’s facing a stressful situation.

The human body reacts instinctually to the situation that it perceives-at a primal level-as a threat.
That's why sentimental, relational, social and professional issues turn into triggers of anxiety, muscle tension and accelerated heart rate. At its cognitive level, that’s where post vacation syndrome comes in.

No worry, the data we do have suggests that there are ways to mitigate those depressive feelings and emotions that come with a return from the activities we enjoy.
Let's see some of them below:

• Baby steps - If you can make it work with your budget and schedule, give yourself a day or so to adjust before you have to return to work. You’ll have time then to grocery shop, unpack, do laundry, and take care of anything unexpected that came up while you were away. Scheduling transition days so that you’re not bombarded with meetings or calls the moment you’re back on the clock can be greatly beneficial.

• Take small breaks- Carve out 10-15 minutes every two hours of work or study. Your muscles, blood circulation and eyes will benefit greatly.

• Do some sport - Let’s get that gym membership or running shoes back in hand. Starting again with exercise is a panacea to fight off any kind of sickness caused by returning from vacation. Yoga, for instance, is a great way to de-stress and recharge your energy.

• Enjoy light and open air - Take advantage of sunlight and fresh air to recharge your body. In fact, regular short strolls in nature might have the same calming, restorative effect of a good vacation.

• Book a new adventure - Gift yourself a weekend of rest and relaxation. Organizing a new trip or excursion is the best way to take your mind off the vacation you just had. It will keep you busy and make you look ahead in positive spirits.

• Healthy Eating - Eating healthy and regularly can be game changer. You will let go the feeling of bloating related to the food splurges made on vacation, but it also helps you keep our minds positive and focus on your goals. Excessive sugars and complex carbohydrates overload the body and negatively affect our mental and physical health.

... what about rest?

When we return from holidays, daily commitments catch us in a hectic and chaotic tornado in which there seems to be no place for good rest. After slow and quiet vacation days of good rest, our bodies are shaken by an abrupt intensification of daily activities. Hours dedicated to sleep are drastically reduced and we return to home surroundings overloaded with visual, sound and technological stimulation. The time we spend on our personal relaxation is often little and of poor quality.

Sleeping well is the secret to true well-being: a good night's sleep will affect our energy as well as our mood. It is the first sacrificed thing coming back from vacation and yet it is the basis on which a healthy and functional body stands.

To fight the stress of post-vacation blues, the most crucial is certainly to balance the hours of quality sleep. Rest at least 8 hours per night and facilitate sleep with a hot shower or a herbal tea before bed. Remove all kinds of technological devices and turn off the television. A quality sleep is recognized for aspects such as duration, continuity and depth. Make sure you are in a comfortable environment and have a good bed.

Want to learn more about the importance of the mattress and the environment in which you sleep? We addressed these issues in a previous article, read it