Have you ever felt down or reluctant to work after returning from a trip or a long holiday like Songkran or New Year? Thairath Online introduces Vacation Blues, or post-holiday depression, along with ways to cope and refresh your mindset so you can tackle work with renewed energy.
Every time you come back from a long holiday, your heart feels heavy... If you're finding it hard to get out of bed, easily irritated, or unable to focus after an amazing trip, you might be experiencing Vacation Blues or post-holiday depression. Let’s understand its causes and learn how to properly deal with it to turn sadness into inspiration for work.
Vacation Blues, or post-holiday blues, is an emotional condition that occurs after a period of happiness or rest ends. Common symptoms include feelings of emptiness, sadness, fatigue, or anxiety when returning to daily routines. While it is not a severe psychiatric disorder, if left unaddressed, it can affect work performance and relationships.
Don’t plan your trip until the very last minute. Aim to arrive home at least one day before returning to work to give your body time to rest, unpack, clean your home, and let your mind "land" slowly back into reality.
Facing hundreds of emails or a mountain of tasks can spike your stress. It’s recommended to write a to-do list for your first day back before your holiday ends, so you can see the big picture and start with the easiest tasks first.
During holidays, you might eat heavily and sleep late. Returning to healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and going to bed early will help rebalance brain chemistry and energy levels, reducing irritability from accumulated fatigue.
Instead of feeling sad that your trip is over, try organizing photos into an album, writing down memorable stories, or placing small souvenirs on your desk to remind yourself that working is the path to your next joyful journey.
Research shows that "anticipating holidays" can bring more happiness than the holidays themselves. Looking for your next destination or planning fun weekend activities gives you goals and motivation to live more fully.
Vacation Blues is a natural experience that can happen to anyone. The key is to allow yourself to "feel sad" and "adjust" without pressuring yourself to be 100% productive on your first day back. By taking time to reset your mind and care for your body, your usual brightness and full work energy will return.