Holiday stress is a good topic during the holiday season. After all, what do you think about when you go on vacation? Relaxing, of course. But are we actually doing it right?
Sick during vacation due to vacation stress
Our personal trainer has just finished a training session with a client. This client suffers greatly from stress and absolutely cannot say no, which results in working weeks of more than 80 hours. He views this as taking responsibility, but there is, of course, much more to it. He told us this morning that he is leaving on Sunday for a holiday to a Southern European country. “I always get sick the first week,” he reports.
He is always sick on vacation and never at work. This is also known as the so-called 'reverse Kortjakje syndrome'.
40-degree fever
And not just sick. A mild flu or a fainting spell, but sometimes it even involves hospitalization because he had a fever of over 40 degrees. His body protests and wants to say something, but what?
Every day, his body operates on autopilot, pushing on and on. Being considered important and never saying no. A change of environment and rhythm can then come as a shock and trigger an expression of stress.
It is also possible that certain people experience physical difficulty with the transition from work to leisure time. In some men and women with demanding jobs, adrenaline production remains high during rest, causing them to produce a great deal of wasted energy, as it were, and making the body vulnerable. In others, the production of stress hormones drops much too quickly during the switch from work to rest. This, too, can throw the body significantly off balance. A certain degree of stress has a beneficial effect on the immune system. Therefore, it is possible that resistance to disease decreases when stress is relieved.
You have to learn to relax.
It is, of course, important to disconnect from work while on vacation. You can do this by taking long walks, cycling, etc. Also, take regular power naps to rest. Avoid alcohol and drugs, and do not answer your phone if you receive a call from work.
Getting used to a different rhythm the week before you go on vacation is also highly recommended. It is so much more enjoyable for your family and yourself if you are not sick but fully participate in the vacation rhythm.
Keep moving
Of course, we also advise you to always keep moving on vacation. Feel free to ask for a workout schedule so you can stay active, which will greatly reduce vacation stress.
Want to know more? Make a completely no-obligation appointment with us to find out how you too can experience a stress-free holiday!
About Kitty Atsma
Kitty is a passionate nutrition specialist and vitality coach with a broad scientific basis in nutrition and exercise. As a member of the national examination committee of the TCI (Nutrition Specialist & GWC), she monitors the quality of the field at the highest level. As a professional blogger, Kitty combines her in-depth expertise with the possibilities of AI to make complex health topics accessible. She curates and controls the technology to get to the heart of the matter, where her own vision and years of practical experience always determine the course.
Nutrition Specialist Teacher | BGN Weight Consultant | Member TCI Examination Board | Vitality coach
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