Have you ever caught yourself sunbathing by the pool, enjoying the last day of your holiday while discussing plans for booking your next getaway? Or have you even booked your next escape while still on your current travels? You’re not alone.
While August is the busiest month for jetting overseas, it’s also the month that saw the highest searches for ‘2024 holidays’, which has also seen a further 32% increase in searches in the past month. This suggests many of us are experiencing the holiday ‘blues’ while still travelling!
So, are we all booking our holidays while still on holiday? Or, are we experiencing the holiday ‘blues’ and craving our next dose of sun, sea and cocktails?
Why do we experience post-holiday ‘blues’?
If you’ve ever experienced feelings of sadness, fatigue, disappointment, dread or even loneliness after a holiday, that may be the post-holiday blues. As we associate our holidays with a time to relax and rejoice, it’s understandable that many find it hard to get back to normality after an extended break away from work or your daily duties. Thankfully, this is not uncommon.
Studies have shown that holidays - both overseas and a staycation - boost your mental wellbeing and reduce stress levels. So, while you’re soaking up the rays, it’s little wonder that you are, technically, happier.
Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor, MBACP, said: “Throughout our lives, holidays form a huge focal point of each year. Remember when you were back at school, and had that sense of longing for the freedom and excitement of the summer holidays? This doesn’t really change as we get older.
“So when the holiday is over, we experience that ‘back to school’ feeling. It’s an end to that holiday sense of excitement, reconnection, stimulation and expectation.
“When we’ve had a break from daily life, the idea of returning to any stress, worry, routine or boredom can feel disproportionately challenging. The post-holiday blues can be exacerbated by tiredness and jetlag, and the tasks of unpacking and doing laundry.”
Kamalyn Kaur, Psychotherapist and Anxiety Expert, also adds: “Having to get back into the normal and monotonous routine of life after a carefree vacation can be a stressful and anxious time.
“Most people’s initial days of coming back from travels entail unpacking, laundry, catching up on work, paying bills and checking the mail to see what they have missed. This transition from being carefree into the day-to-day chaos of life can leave you feeling de-energised or deflated.
“People tend to remember the positive aspects, feelings and experiences of their holiday which can make everyday life seem less exciting or fulfilling in comparison.”
But is this why we search for holidays, while we are still enjoying the sun?
Experts reveal the reasons why we plan our next holiday, while still on holiday
Georgina suggested that “when we have just returned from holiday - or even while we are still on holiday - we are fully aware of the benefits of taking a break. This means that many of us search for our next trip as soon as we can.
“It’s a way of staving off the post-holiday blues, and extending that feeling of excitement and anticipation that we experience when we plan a holiday.
“It’s also a way of coping with the boredom and worry of everyday life, and escaping from conflict or work that we don’t want to deal with. This can all feel easier to cope with if we know that we have a holiday to look forward to.”
Kamalyn also adds that “holidays represent a sense of freedom, adventure, relaxation and discovering new people, places and cultures. All this is so far removed from what people tend to experience in their normal day-to-day life so it is understandable that it can be hard to let go of this lifestyle.
Booking another holiday when back or even searching for one whilst on holiday helps travellers continue their adventure; it keeps that sense of adventure going and helps them deal with the post-holiday blues.”
Studies have also indicated that taking a holiday can lead to increased life satisfaction and even your overall health. So if this sounds like you, there’s little wonder you are planning your next getaway. However, if you do fear the blues, there are methods you can take to attempt to prevent those feelings.
Post-holiday blues? Here are seven tips to help you recover, from the experts
As your holiday is temporary (until your next trip, of course), you could experience a slump after your travels. But, there are ways to prevent these feelings when you get home. You can even use this preparation for your next getaway.
Kathryn Robinson at Inspiring Travel has offered her expert tips on how to recover from your post-holiday blues.
1. Plan additional ‘holiday’ days
When you book your holiday, always plan time to adjust. If you have to return to work, plan an extra day of leave to take some time for yourself before ‘normality’ resumes. If you prep your home tasks before leaving - such as doing a last-day clean or prep a grocery shop to be delivered - then you don’t have to do much when you return, meaning you have more time to relax and enjoy your me-time.
2. Have something to look forward to
Before you jet away - or even while on your holiday - book something to look forward to for when you return home. It doesn’t have to be straight away. In fact, opt for something in a few weeks’ time, such as dinner with friends or even an activity you have not done before. The fun doesn’t have to end when you step foot off the plane.
3. Become a tourist in your own home
You may have your routine ‘set’ at home - which could be one of the reason’s you are feeling uninspired after your travels - but this is the perfect time to try something different.
Kamalyn Kaur, Psychotherapist and Anxiety Expert, agrees: “Whilst away, there is a sense of freedom and adventure as a result of the new environment; holiday activities, excursions, exploring new places and meeting new people. Coming back home to get back into daily routines, which can be quite restrictive, can make people feel they are losing this freedom and adventure.”
So, why not do something out of the ordinary at home? Try a new activity with your friends or family, tour a museum or visit an art gallery in the place you live. Try and do something different each week to truly encapsulate those feelings of being on holiday.
In addition, getting outdoors has been known to boost your mood and even improve sleep.
4. Practice “switching off” after your holiday
If you struggle to switch off from work when you finish for the day and even on weekends, you may, subsequently, find it hard to switch off and fully enjoy your time back home - particularly if you are disrupting your routine and trying different activities.
We recommend taking the time to recognise when you find yourself logging on to finish off that “quick task” outside of your working hours.
When you recognise these habits, try replacing them with something that brings you joy, for example, reading a book or going for a walk. Learning to switch off when you are back from holiday can help retain those relaxing and happy feelings from your holiday.
5. Document your holiday
During your trip, make sure you document as much as possible while still living in the moment. Not only will you be able to look over these memories forever, but, you can set a time when you are home to pour over your pictures and videos and relive those moments.
You could also create a travel journal from your holiday and write the memories and feelings you associate with each image, so you have something to always remember. You can also prolong your holiday by choosing which images to print and display in your home.
6. Focus on your health and wellbeing
We, typically, indulge on our holidays, and why not? It’s our time to relax and recuperate. However, when you are home, taking care of yourself physically can help improve your mood.
For instance, travelling on a plane can lead to dehydration. So, when you get home, focus on drinking your daily recommended amount of water every day. You should also focus on your sleep and set a realistic nightly routine to improve your sleep quality, which can be greatly affected during your travels.
7. Be prepared, plan ahead and delegate tasks before your vacation
One of the most important things to do before you go on holiday is to forward plan. Tying up loose ends and delegating tasks to your colleagues before you set your out of office, can give you that peace of mind you need when on holiday. That way, you can switch off while away and gently ease yourself back into the office when you return.
If you are planning your next trip after returning home, check out our luxury holiday ideas that will truly help you encapsulate those exciting holiday feelings.
Planning your tailor-made holiday
If you are planning your next trip after returning home, check out our luxury holiday ideas that will truly help you encapsulate those exciting holiday feelings.
