Body & Mind

The post-holiday slump: here's how to deal with it

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:000931#31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:00-4Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 18pm31pm-31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:004Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200304307pmTuesday=9#!31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#07-18-2023#!31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:000931#/31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:00-4Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:30:09 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#

I used to think I was the only one who had this problem, but it turns out it happens a lot: the post-holiday dip. I experienced it when I was a teenager: I lay in bed sad for weeks after my crazy vacation to Lloret. The fact that I had hopelessly fallen in love with a tour guide didn't make that dip any less bad, but I mostly missed being on vacation.

According to psychologists, that dip is very normal. They call it the ‘post-holiday blues’ or ‘post-event blues’, because that feeling can be the same: after a big and important event like your birthday or wedding, you can experience the same depressive feelings.

There is a bit of a difference in that, by the way: some people feel sad that they are back from vacation and are genuinely bummed out, while others can feel deep sadness and even become depressed, often accompanied by shame and possibly guilt. Because why are you so sad? Your vacation was so much fun, right? Didn't you enjoy every moment? Shouldn't you be grateful for that and just enjoy the memories?

According to psychologists, those sad feelings have two causes. The first is that going on vacation is extremely good for our dopamine levels. We feel satisfied and happy on vacation and get shots of dopamine, which do us a lot of good. However, you also build up that dopamine before you go on vacation.

Because that is cause number two: all the planning and preparation that precedes it gives your life a certain purpose at that moment. You build and live towards something, whether it's an event or a vacation. When that ends, the purpose disappears and we can start to feel aimless. This is further exacerbated by the dopamine that suddenly drops away; the shots you got from your satisfaction in planning, the joy of having a goal, and the enjoyment of vacation are suddenly, bam, gone.

And that is a terrible feeling. But fortunately, these psychologists also have tips on how to deal with it as best as possible.

1. Talk about it a lot and reminisce

Talking about beautiful memories makes you happier and more grateful — and it brings you back to that moment for a while. So talk a lot with your travel companions about all your beautiful stories or just tell your friends and family the highlights once again.

2. Give extra attention to your personal needs

Do you fall into a deep hole after vacation because you find your own life boring and want more adventure like on vacation? Then seek that in your daily life. Whether it's something small like trying a new sport or a sports class, trying to cook new dishes, or reading a new book; whatever you want. If you miss having a goal, then plan weekly tasks for yourself that you can check off.

3. Don't dwell in your sadness

This might seem a bit contrary to tip number one, but if you linger too long in those memories, it can actually evoke a feeling of sadness. Once you reach this point, it's time to switch gears and focus on the future. This could be planning a new trip or just making a plan for the upcoming weeks/months.

4. Be kind to yourself

Sounds logical, but we often don't do that. Give yourself the space to feel all these feelings; it's okay to be sad about this. And it's also okay that you have zero motivation to pick up your ‘old’ life again. Give yourself time and treat yourself to a massage or something else that really does you good.

Source: PsychologyToday