Three out of every 10 workers suffers post-holiday syndrome
Some studies say that three out of every ten workers will suffer from post-holiday syndrome, "and if we add to this the children, adolescents and people active in different fields, we will be talking about a higher percentage", said specialists at the Valencia and Torrevieja Quirónsalud Hospitals.
This syndrome can create physical changes, such as fatigue, lack of appetite, drowsiness, muscular pains and tiredness; as well as physical, such as apathy, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, despair and sadness. It is a general malaise accompanied by symptoms that make it difficult to return to daily activity. If this uneasiness does not disappear in about 10 to 15 days, a doctor should be consulted, as we could be confronting a different process that will require specialised care", said Marina Sangonzalo, specialist at the Clinical Psychology Unit of the Hospital Quirónsalud Valencia
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The identification of these symptoms as post-holiday syndrome is relatively recent and is related to the final stage of the summer and Christmas holidays or with those periods of rest that last several weeks. "We all need an adaptation process to the new circumstances and sometimes, when returning to the routine, coping difficulties appear that require mobilisation of our own resources or to learn new ones that help us to focus on the situation in a more adaptive way". The coping style of each person will have an impact on the way that they return to the daily routine, explains Nuria Javaloyes, specialist in psychology at the Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja.
Around 20% of those affected essentially recover in one or two days, and 35% may feel uneasy for up to 2 weeks. "In the worst of cases, if the symptoms persist beyond this time or more serious ones appear, it is recommended to consult a clinical psychology specialist, to rule out the start of a more serious pathology", advises Nuria Javaloyes.
How to avoid the post-holiday syndrome
Depending on the circumstances of each person, the specialists advise following these 10 ideas below:
- Make up a nice photo album and organise the souvenirs to relive the good moments.
- Plan the incorporation into your routine of two days before the end of the holidays as a period of adaptation, and enjoy them.
- Little by little, go back to your usual hours of going to bed and getting up.
- Schedule leisure activities for the first days after your return. A good film or walk in the park can be very rewarding.
- Sleep longer during the first days of your return to normality. You also have to rest from holidays.
- Regulate your activity level at first. Go from less to more, in this way you will feel more capable.
- Avoid thinking in white (the happiness of the holidays) and black (suffering of the routine). Open the door to the enjoyable moments at any time of the year.
- Do not complain continuously. It will help make you feel bad and it will not help you to adapt.
- If you feel very affected by the return to work, do not take vital decisions on your working future in those days. Ask for advice and hope that you will feel better.
- Confront the return with promising ideas and make plans to make them come true. Do as the children do, go back to your life project in September.
