Sick On Vacation: Understanding Leisure Sickness In 5 Questions

If you have the unfortunate habit of getting sick when you go on vacation, you are probably suffering from leisure sickness! We offer you a better understanding of this syndrome that could ruin your holidays in 5 questions.

1- What are the symptoms of leisure sickness?

Leisure sickness can manifest itself through a wide range of symptoms such as fever, body aches, headaches, allergies, nausea, a runny nose, a sore throat, or a cough...

It is not so much characterized by the minor ailments it causes but by the moment when these symptoms occur: the long-awaited day of your departure on vacation!

2- What are the causes of leisure sickness?

If you are wondering why you always get sick when you are on vacation, rest assured: you are not the victim of a mysterious curse!

Doctors are well aware of the mechanism by which we fall ill when we ease off the pressure. As long as we work at a steady pace, the body holds up even though it is tired. The immune defenses are boosted by two stress hormones: cortisol and adrenaline.

But here’s the thing: the day before or the day of departure on vacation, the body eases off the pressure and its immune defenses weaken. A sudden change in rhythm is enough to cause the immune system to drop. Result: the body can no longer resist the first virus it encounters, and the person falls ill.

3- Is leisure sickness common?

Do you despair of never being in shape during the first week of your annual leave? Rest assured, you are not alone!

This phenomenon is common enough to have a name: leisure sickness or paradise syndrome! It was the Dutch researcher Ad Vingerhoets who coined the term leisure sickness in 2001.

4- Who is affected by leisure sickness?

The Dutch researcher who coined the name of this syndrome also found that it particularly affects workers under pressure and not just executives... According to Ad Vingerhoets, those at risk are mainly perfectionists with a high workload and a keen sense of responsibility.

The busier your days are throughout the year, the more likely you are to fall ill as soon as you take a vacation! Indeed, your body has learned to function while being fueled by stress hormones and has difficulty adapting to periods of rest.

More than a true illness with well-defined symptoms, this peculiar syndrome is primarily a sign of excessive work-related stress. Falling ill every time you go on vacation should therefore be a warning. You are too stressed, and in the long term, this chronic stress could lead to burnout or more serious symptoms such as high blood pressure or a chronic illness.

5- How to prevent leisure sickness?

To prevent leisure sickness from ruining the vacation you've been planning for months, you need to schedule a decompression period before your departure.

Organize yourself so that you can slow down a few days before your vacation starts. Ease up at work and get a few good nights of sleep before packing your bags. You can also take a small course of vitamin C in preparation for your vacation.

More broadly, if you have already experienced paradise syndrome, this should prompt you to think about ways to better balance your personal and professional life.

To avoid chronic stress from ruining your life, also consider:
• getting enough sleep;
• moving more daily, preferably engaging in outdoor sports;
• adopting a balanced diet to ensure sufficient intake of vitamin C, essential for the proper functioning of the immune system.