Peak Season for Leisure Sickness: Why Do We Always Get Sick During the Holidays?

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Finally! We’ve been looking forward to the summer vacation and office break at the beach for weeks. However, as soon as they arrive, sunscreen should be replaced with Pulmex ointment and bath towels with Arsenal Nastüechli.

Why do we always get sick during the holidays? This phenomenon is so common that a few years ago the Dutch psychologist called it the “leisure sickness”.

Stress is to blame. It’s huge at work and suddenly disappears at your leisure – this sudden change can make you sick. When you work at full speed in the office, your immune system works too. The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline suppress an immune response. Bacteria or viruses have to wait until the body even has time to deal with them. This defensive struggle is then recognized, for example, by sneezing, coughing and sniffing.

Especially perfectionists suffer from vacation sickness. They feel responsible for everything, make high demands on themselves and therefore find it difficult or impossible to close. Rest and relaxation can come with feelings of guilt, which can prevent them from fully enjoying their day off.

According to British stress management coach Neil Shah, you have to be really “brutal” to your office mates to counter this. “You have to delegate – and understand that many tasks can actually wait until after the break.”

Also, the last few days before leaving should not be filled with additional stress. Checking the expiration dates of passports, completing vaccinations or caring for a dog sitter are things that can be taken care of with adequate preparation time.

However, even if you follow these tips meticulously, you cannot leave your first aid kit at home with a clear conscience. Especially if you are traveling by plane. It is almost impossible not to come into contact with germs on board. If even one passenger catches a cold, the ventilation system ensures that all passengers have some level of pathogen.

The good news: If you get sick on vacation and the doctor certifies that you can’t “take a vacation”, that is, you won’t be able to recover, the days can be rolled back.

If you’re sick in bed during the holidays, it’s already too late. You have to take care of it early enough to reduce stress. The body notifies you when you are not feeling well. But when you’re stressed, you often overlook the symptoms. “You should always take time to listen to your body carefully,” explains Marisa Hübner, 36, MD, an internist and senior doctor at Jivita, a therapy center at Bethanien private clinic.

Good nutrition also helps prevent illness during the holidays. Especially ginger, turmeric and other herbs have a relaxing effect. Saying that trekking can also have a great effect, Hübner says, “It has been proven that green colors make people happy and the scent of the forest calms them, thanks to the terpinene oil it contains.”

Everyone has their own relaxation strategies. Some read books, play sports, do yoga or meditate. It’s important to do these regularly, says Hübner. The body loves routine.

Leasure Sickness Syndrome itself is not dangerous. But chronic stress is a risk factor for more serious diseases. If we are permanently stressed and can no longer relax, this can lead to burnout. “It’s a warning sign from your body that you need to calm down.” (lex)

Source : Blick