Vacations are the time to disconnect from everyday responsibilities and instead turn our attention towards rest and relaxation. But have you ever noticed that when you return home, you sometimes feel even more exhausted than when you left? If you've ever said, "I need a vacation after that vacation," you're not alone.
Dr. Catherine Jackson, licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified neurotherapist, explained that these negative feelings may be due to a few things. "There's traveling fatigue in which just the mere act of traveling tires some people out," she told POPSUGAR. "[A lot of people also] pack the vacation with too many tasks, excursions, and places to see but don't allow enough time to actually relax, sleep in, sit by the pool, or do absolutely nothing." Another no-no? "Working while on vacation and never fully cutting off work duties." Dr. Jackson added that taking a vacation for too short of a period and jumping right back into work upon returning home can also cause one to feel frazzled and exhausted afterwards.
The effects of traveling also have a more direct impact on your body on a biological level. "Your body has a circadian rhythm that is tied to sunrise and sundown in your home environment, such that when you travel your body's clock gets disrupted," Dr. Charles Brenner, Chief Scientific Advisor to ChromaDex, explained to POPSUGAR. This is particularly true when traveling from East to West time zones.
Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to help avoid the feelings of doom and gloom upon returning home from a vacation. Keep reading for some expert tips on getting back into the swing of things rested, relaxed, and stress-free.
