Almost everyone who loves to travel has experienced post-holiday sadness, i.e. the feeling of stress or depression that can affect you after returning from a long-awaited vacation.
Having to get back into the routine of work, school, and everyday life can be stressful; The feeling of sadness after this holiday can make you feel uncomfortable continuing your routine and thinking about changing your life drastically.
Even though it's unpleasant, this sadness can be handled as long as you are determined, have perspective, take lessons from the recent vacation, and can take care of yourself. Even if it turns out that you need a change in your life, this article can also help you achieve your goals.
Step
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
There are people who after a long and enjoyable vacation easily get back into a routine, but there are also those who can't. Here are some signs that you have what medical science calls post-travel depression (PTD):
- Feeling tired or restless; it could also be a nervous breakdown that prevents you from focusing on any one thing.
- Loss of appetite or even overeating.
- Sadness, crying, and depression.
- Very strong sense of nostalgia.
- Unable to carry out daily activities stably.
- Some people may feel angry too, especially if the vacation was supposed to solve a problem, but it still lasts a long time.
- Depression (in some cases). If you are concerned that you have reached the stage of depression, see your doctor immediately.
Step 2. Understand that after a great holiday you may be feeling down
Time will feel "expanded" when traveling or experiencing new things and the sense of being free from the bonds of routine, daily tasks, and deadlines can be quite intense. Returning to routine will deflate the sensation; You are suddenly thrown back into the everyday reality you left behind. It's natural to feel sad and lost after temporarily experiencing different circumstances.
No need to rush to get rid of this feeling. You must transition from a state of extreme pleasure back to normal existence. Anxiety and sadness as a result of this is normal and is the result of a sense of loss. It takes time to let go of the intensity and euphoria of the holiday and let it become just a happy memory
Step 3. Realize that your vacation doesn't have to end here
If you have time to travel and experience different cultures, life, sights, food and other things, you have opened new doors in life. You are already aware of the possibilities that were not thought of before and this is important to remember carefully. You can remember your vacation in a number of ways, such as:
- If you've had time to take lots of photos and videos while traveling or buy souvenirs, looking back over these can make it easier for you to remember all those new places and experiences. Take the time to organize all of these things into a form that is convenient and easy for you and others to enjoy. Remembering these things can help you approach your vacation and let it go.
- Create a "bridge" between the new culture of the holiday and your life. For example, if you like the specialties of other countries, buy the recipe book and try cooking it at home. Bring those flavors into your kitchen! The culture of another country can be carried in many ways, including through dance, art, clothing, language, films and documentaries, communicating online with new friends from that country, writing a novel or short story about your vacation, and much more..
- Joining a course can also help keep your spirits up; it could be a cooking, dancing, or art course that represents the cultural experience you had during your vacation. There you may also meet indigenous people from that country or other people who are also interested in learning about the culture.
- Consider volunteering in an organization that engages with the citizens of the holiday country. It is possible that you will meet interesting people who need help. Maybe in terms of building schools in rural areas, protecting animals from poachers, or even later you can join an organization that sends volunteers to developing countries; this way you are no longer a "tourist", but a "friend from another country".
Step 4. Think of ways to make a positive change in your life through the new experiences of the vacation
Most post-holiday sadness results from a desire to change lives. Find habits that stand out during the holidays that you can incorporate into your normal routine. Sometimes it's the little things that can be applied at home. Some examples of findings of people who love to travel:
- Live more frugally. While traveling we often realize that we are okay with some shortcomings and can still have fun. It could turn out that clothes that are only a suitcase are enough for adventures here and there, no need more. Maybe it's time to reduce all the excess items in the house so that life is more modest.
- Reduce the use of mobile phones and the internet. While traveling, cell phones and the internet are there to give the news and make sure nothing bad happens. In addition, people usually don't use cell phones or browse the internet a lot while traveling and instead they focus on enjoying life. Maybe this way you can be happier. Reduce your time just connecting via technology, but focus on interacting directly with the people, places, and events around you.
- Watch TV because you need information, not to pass your free time. While traveling, the main function of the TV is for important news and weather forecasts (that is, if you have time). Not many people travel far and wide just to sit in a hotel room and watch TV all day. Use your vacation experience to limit the portion of TV viewing in your routine, set standards for what shows are decent, decide when not to watch TV, or turn off the TV as soon as a decent show ends.
- Change your appearance and start healthy habits. Often after the holidays we go from looking tired to looking younger, calmer, and happier. Some ways to get those things in everyday life: healthier sleep patterns, more outdoor activities, more body care at the spa, more exercise, and improved diet. Do things that make you happy while also taking a break from your routine; it could be a massage or playing tennis in the afternoon.
- Find new acquaintances. Vacations often separate us from our social circle and close friends and bring us closer to new people. In normal life we often forget to make new acquaintances and focus only on those we are already familiar with.
Step 5. Share the experience with family and friends
It's a good idea to share your travel experiences or write about travel, stories, funny events, and more on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. But remember, when sharing with others, it's rare for people to sympathize with post-holiday grief because the other person is focused on the fact that you've had the holidays, not on your anxious side because the holidays are over.
It's a good idea to create a public online page specifically for your vacation photos so that more people can enjoy your holiday experience. Make sure the personal data revealed from the photos is safe for broadcast so that a truly private experience is maintained
Step 6. Take care of yourself
There are some important steps to take care of yourself during the transition from vacation back to your regular routine; these steps include:
-
Don't go to work right away. There are people who can immediately be productive, but for those who experience post-holiday moodiness, work will not be optimal, it can even make you regret that you have been on vacation while so many unread emails, administrative work that is close to a deadline, missed phone calls, and so on.
After the holidays, make a slow transition to work when you feel ready or when the vacation time is completely exhausted. There are people who purposely go home on Thursday or Friday so it's close to the weekend
- Resume a healthy diet and regular exercise as soon as possible. During the holidays you may eat a lot and relax, even though it's actually not healthy, especially if it's been more than a few days and you start to notice that you've gained weight and are a bit fatter. Taking a walk, jogging, or eating a healthy diet can help you return to a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, if your vacation is full of activities and healthy food, continue the habit!
- Make sure you get enough sleep at night. If you don't have a few free days after traveling before starting work or school, don't choose a flight that arrives at night. Your body needs extra energy for the next day and having enough time to pack up your suitcase before it gets too tired can help create a more comfortable mood.
- Spend time with family and friends so that you are comfortable transitioning to ordinary life. These people are a source of moral support and willing to listen to stories from your vacation; Don't hesitate to ask for a hug if necessary.
Step 7. Stay in touch with tourism
Keeping in touch with other people who also love to travel can maintain holiday euphoria. This way you can also get ideas for your next trip and various travel tips.
- Help be a friend to tourists. Find out if your nearest tourism organization has volunteer vacancies as tour guides, tour operators, road guides, and more so you can stay involved in the holiday mood by showing tourists your local area. It can also make you appreciate where you live more as you look at it from a tourist's point of view.
- So host to tourists for special occasions. Participate in providing housing for student exchange programs. Offer a place to live through www.couchsurfing.com or similar sites, and you'll be making new friends regularly!
- Work in the tourism or hospitality sector. There are people who love to travel so much that they work in the hospitality industry. You can try to be a hotel receptionist, spa staff, waiter, bartender, or others. Think about whether it's possible to open a small inn with a bed & breakfast format. This way you can stay around people who are traveling. Some of these organizations may also offer discounts for their employees.
Step 8. Start planning your next vacation
The most effective way to ward off feelings of sadness after the holidays is to think about the next vacation. If your finances are sufficient, start looking at transportation options, lodging, and others in advance and also hunt for the cheapest prices for tickets and lodging; or at least start saving and setting aside money every week for the next vacation. It's as if your funds will soon be collected and this is also a good way to discipline yourself when tempted to buy unhealthy snacks or other things that you don't really need.
Step 9. Maybe your life is a mess and the last vacation provided an "enlightenment."
Sometimes a vacation is an opportunity to step back and see your life from a different perspective. And MAYBE… you do need a drastic change. Post-holiday depression may be more than just a temporary difficulty getting back into your daily routine, and may even be a sign that you're not happy. This might be a life-changing opportunity, not just a little bit of moodiness to get back to work.
- Give it a few days before making a "big" decision. Before resigning from a job, breaking up with a boyfriend, or changing schools, it's best to wait a few days. It may be the right decision, but doing it in a hurry can make you regret it.
- Do your research before moving to a place where you are on vacation. Visiting a place as a tourist is very different from actually living there. Example: You really enjoy skiing in Vermont, USA, and want to live there, but this also means you have to find a job in a US state that is still largely rural, must be prepared for blizzards, and must be able to pay heating bills. which is very expensive, - which is nothing to worry about when you're just on a skiing vacation.
- Also remember that even if you move to a beautiful tourist area, monotonous routines and everyday problems persist. For example, you still have to wash the dishes or go to the dentist.
- Respect the insights you gain from the vacation. Sometimes with a vacation you can see things with the right perspective. If you've come to realize that you hate your current job, this is an opportunity to find a new one. Recognizing the need to improve your appearance may mean that you should start an exercise program. That gloomy mood can actually help you find happiness that is more than just a vacation.
Tips
- Children and teens may find it harder to adjust after a long vacation, especially if they go straight to school after a trip. Make sure there is enough time to go home and adjust to your normal routine before returning to school.
- Focus on avoiding and preventing post-flight motion sickness/jet lag (if any). This travel disorder is very common in many people who travel through different time zones and can make post-holiday moodiness symptoms worse.
- If you're driving home, allow more time for your return journey and consider traveling during the day so that the dark night won't exacerbate post-holiday moodiness.
Warning
- Not everyone will sympathize with moodiness after the holidays. It's hard for others to sympathize with your longing for a luxury hotel vacation in Hawaii. To them this may sound like whining, but your feelings are real and real.
- Make sure you always take enough time to adjust back to your normal routine and don't put yourself at risk of health problems or excessive stress. If you come back to work and something critical happens right away, try asking for help instead of trying to do it alone. Maybe after the holidays you are more refreshed, but still need a few days to refocus on the work at hand.
- Don't vent your frustration on going back to work after a nice vacation on people at home or colleagues at work. They don't deserve to be affected and they don't get to have as much fun as you do.
- If the new experiences of the vacation make you question your life choices, take some time to think. Consider all possibilities when changing professions or moving house. Such a thing is a big step that requires more resources than just a week's vacation, so don't rush into getting ready if it does change the course of your life.
- If your post-holiday depression doesn't improve within a few days or gets even worse, call your doctor for help.
