Do you usually get unwell during vacations? Well, you may have 'leisure sickness'

Are you just another corporate slave trying to deal with the consequences of the so-called hustle culture? In this day and age, taking a break from work is seen as being lazy and anyone who dares commit this 'crime' is immediately labelled as 'unambitious'. Say you do decide to brave the storm and take that much-deserved time off only to be stuck down with a pounding headache or a nasty cold on top of the guilt of stepping away from work that you are already dealing with, what then? If this is not your first time then you'll be glad to know you aren't the only one, in fact, this sudden sickness is so common that scientists have given it a name called 'leisure sickness'.

Also Read: Why morning sunlight & vitamin D are essential for your overall wellness

What is leisure sickness?

freepik.com

The term was first coined by Dutch psychologist Professor Ad Vingerhoets when he surveyed about 2000 people and postulated that close to 3% of them reported getting stuck down with symptoms of cold and flu such as headaches, nausea and fatigue when they took a break from work.

While there is no sure reason why exactly leisure sickness happens, people who lead stressful jobs or find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance are prone to it. It is often that people who have a strong sense of responsibility towards their jobs can hold off illness due to acute stress but as soon as they step away and relax, they fall sick, according to a research study published in the National Library of Medicine.

Also Read: Woke Up In A Bad Mood? Here Are 9 Quick Fixes To Make You Feel Better Instantly

Tips to reduce leisure sickness

1) Visualise your transition from rushed to relaxed

Pinterest

To enjoy your vacation without any stress or guilt, imagine yourself putting away your work worries in a box and throwing it away. When you mentally make your work issues inaccessible, you are likely to not dwell on them during your off time.

2) Alter your mindset regarding taking time off

It is essential for you to first and foremost not penalize yourself for wanting to take a break. Learn to read what your body is trying to tell you when it's tired and realise that when you come back from your vacation you are likely to be more productive and not on the verge of having a breakdown.

3) Try to maintain healthy habits

wwws.fitnessrepublic.com/Pinterest

Even if you are on vacation, it is important to maintain a good sleep cycle and healthy hygiene habits. Understand that even if you are taking time off, you cannot let yourself fall off the wagon or over-indulge while completely disregarding essential activities.

4) Don't respond to work emails or calls

It is very crucial to take a clean break from work. There is no point in taking a vacation and then working on your time off. Establish clear boundaries and do not entertain work-related calls.

5) Have a set agenda for your days off

There is a chance that your leisure sickness stems from a lack of productivity, so plan your day as seriously as you would plan your meetings and fill it with relaxing activities or hobbies that you enjoy.

Also Read: Feeling Burnt Out? Here's When & How To Take A Mental Health Day Off Work

For more on health, fashion and astrology from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.