Why Is Post Vacation Depression a Thing?

Have you ever heard the saying, “You need a break to recover from your vacation?” Feeling depressed after that much-anticipated breakaway week may be more than just a return to reality or a knee-jerk reaction. Why do you get the travel blues, and what can you do to ensure you return with only happy memories instead of feeling weighed down?

What Is Leisure Time Depression and Why Does It Happen? 

Post-vacation depression, also known as leisure time blues, isn’t just about missing the beach or adventure when you go home. It’s a mix of biological, psychological and situational factors that leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated. 

• Brain chemistry: During the breakaway, your brain gets used to the dopamine and serotonin spikes that adventure and excitement bring, and you don’t have responsibilities or duties to weigh you down. Returning home removes the positive stimulation and leaves you feeling deflated. You’re like a dropped ice cream cone — still pretty and tasty, but nobody now wants to eat you off the concrete — least of all you. 
• You hate your regular life: Nobody has a perfect life — otherwise, people wouldn’t take vacations. Your time away was an escape from reality, but now you’re back in a home that needs renovation and at an unfulfilling job. Falling back into your regular routines can amplify the letdown feelings, and home is a stark reminder of your life’s realities. 
• Nothing to look forward to: The anticipation of a time away without responsibilities and only fantasies may be better than the actual vacation, and when you get back, there’s nothing on the horizon to help you look up. 
• Post-vacation depression and withdrawal: Just like the satisfied letdown after Thanksgiving Dinner, coming home from a leisurely break can leave you feeling a sense of “withdrawal,” which is like whiplash. 
• The culture shock of being back: Even if you didn’t travel far, returning to your usual routines while still in a festive mood can make you even more aware of how different your reality is from the fantasy. 
• Feeling like you lost something: When you go on vacation you may discover a side of yourself that doesn’t normally feature, but on returning, that version of yourself disappears, leaving you feeling incomplete. 

Signs of Vacation Blues

If you’d rather only look at the positive and believe you’re perfectly “fine,” you may want to watch for these signs that you’ve got post-leisure depression:

• Excessive stress and anxiety: You feel jittery and unsettled in the usual situations at home. Stepping off the plane means your stress levels hit the ceiling, and your vacation mindset has disappeared.
• Feeling sad and disconnected: Thinking of the time away makes you sad, and you don’t find everyday routines soothing. Friday’s pizza night feels dull. 
• Extreme fatigue and listlessness: You can’t move one foot in front of the other, and it’s like you’re running on fumes.
• Irritability: After your rest time, you should be smiling and happy, but you snap at people instead. You are impatient and on edge.
• Poor motivation and focus: Even something as basic as taking out the trash leaves you in a fit. Shifting from fun to function is rough. 
• Insomnia: It’s more than jet lag, and you find getting a quality night’s rest difficult. 

How to Prevent Vacation Depression During and After

You don’t have to suffer through leisure-time blues after each trip away. Make the transition easier with some preparation and tricks. Creating coping mechanisms like deep breathing once you return can help you settle back in more easily. You can prevent travel depression when you:

1. Plan A Vacation Bridge When You Return

You’ve heard people say to “ease into it.” It’s more like building a bridge between holiday you and real you. Try to return at least two days before you have to go back to work. Instead of milking every morsel of time away, create a safety ledge that catches you when you get back. These two days are so you can acclimate, unpack, find your feet and get back into your regular home routines before facing the stress of your day job. 

2. Have Something Else Lined Up

Anticipation is a powerful way to rebuild your drained energy reserves. Plan an inexpensive event that you can look forward to, such as a concert, a one-night stay with friends or a booking at that new restaurant you like. 

3. Recenter With Friends and Family

Recalling the vacation can help you enjoy it again and settle into the memories. Show your photos to friends and family and talk about your trip. It helps you process your emotions and reminds you of what you love at home — the people. 

4. Unpack and Detox

The festive foods you eat while in your favorite vacation spot can cause digestive problems, so use the day or two after your return to detox and clean your body inside out. While a trip is supposed to help you relax and unwind, 79% of travelers report health problems while away. Unpack your luggage and pack empty suitcases and souvenirs in their proper places. 

5. Cherish Memories

Instead of mourning the end of your time away, celebrate it. Create a photo album, journal about your experiences and frame a favorite souvenir. 

6. Monitor and Control Work Stress

Ease back into work. If you can, try to avoid long meetings on your first day back and maintain clear boundaries, tackling tasks one at a time. Don’t overcommit on your first day back. 

7. Slot Time Off Into the Vacation

Traveling for leisure can be exhausting. Give yourself a break during the trip to rest and recharge. Avoid scheduling activities for every minute of your time away so you don’t become fatigued and overwhelmed. This also ensures you are more fresh when you return home. 

8. Leave a Clean Home

Returning to a messy house will surely take the wind from your sails. Ensure your home is tidy when you leave so it’s neat when you get back. This includes removing perishable items from your fridge and emptying garbage bins so you don’t have a smelly space. 

9. Use a One-Time Laundry Service

Returning from a trip usually means loads of dirty laundry for large families. Wading through bundles of clothes to wash and iron can be intimidating. Use the laundry service at your vacation accommodation or a private laundromat that washes and dries bulk washing for you. 

Do You Need Help?

What do you do if those blues stick around for several weeks after you return home? When depression starts to affect your routines, work and relationships, it might be more than just adjustment challenges. Consider speaking with a professional if you struggle to find your bounce again. 

Unpack Your Bags

Vacations are supposed to be refreshing, and if they leave you feeling worse when you return than before you go, you need to take action to find a second wind. Understanding why post-vacation blues happen and taking proactive steps to manage them can help you ensure your next trip leaves only good memories long after you’ve unpacked.