Do you feel sad after a vacation? Let's talk about 'Vacation Depression'!

We all love to take a vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Who doesn't love to go on a trip and relax to their heart's content? But sometimes, the vacation itself can feel like a big burden. Especially if you're feeling stressed or sad, planning a vacation and even spending money on it can be a hassle. Needless to say, when you get back to your daily routine after the vacation, you feel sad and bored. This is what we simply call 'Vacation Depression'.

What does research say about vacations and mental health?

Think about it, researchers say, "If you don't take proper breaks, it can affect your physical and mental health." That's not something to be taken lightly. Take a look at some of the findings from research on this.

• A 2005 study found that women who don't take vacations are two to three times more likely to develop depression than women who take regular vacations .
• Another study, which followed more than 12,000 men for nine years, found that men who didn't take a vacation every year had a 32% higher risk of dying from a heart attack and a 21% higher risk of dying from any other cause .
• Another study of women participating in the famous Framingham Heart Study found that women who took a vacation as infrequently as once every six years had an eight-fold increased risk of heart attack and death compared to women who took a vacation at least once every two years .

So, in this article, we'll talk about how to overcome the sadness you feel during this holiday season, how important a vacation is for our psyche, and how to plan a vacation that brings peace to your soul that suits your personality.

How does a vacation help our minds?

The best news is that vacations are the perfect opportunity to recharge our batteries, change the pace of our daily lives, and refresh our minds by changing our surroundings.

And, "This is a very important time to strengthen relationships with the most important people in your life - your partner, children, friends, parents - says psychologist Dr. Nadine Kaslow. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's hard to find time for those things.

In addition, a vacation gives us a sense of control over our lives. That is, we have the freedom to choose what we want. We lack that freedom in everyday life. On vacation, we do things that we enjoy in the moment.

There's a scientific side to this. When we go on vacation, our brains release two neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin . Simply put, these are the chemicals that control our happiness and mood . People with depression have low levels of these chemicals. When you're on vacation, you're doing things you enjoy, taking control of your life, and these chemicals increase, making you feel happier and more relaxed.

How to get rid of sadness during the holidays?

Sometimes, the sadness in your heart can make it hard to enjoy a vacation. "Depression is a vicious cycle. You feel bad, so you don't do things that make you happy. That makes you feel even worse," explains Dr. Kaslow. So to break this cycle, you have to do something that used to make you happy. It may not be as enjoyable as it used to be. But it's the best way to feel good.

Before you tackle this, there's a question you need to ask yourself: "What is my 'Vacation Personality'?" That is, what kind of vacation suits you best?

The most important thing is to create a vacation that suits your personality . That's when you come home feeling truly refreshed and at peace. For someone who loves adventure, just hanging out on the beach can be boring. Then, when you get home after your vacation, you'll feel like "it's a waste of time."

7 tips to reduce stress before and during the holidays

1. Short vacations instead of long vacations: If it's difficult for you to take a long vacation like two weeks from your workplace, plan a few short vacations (long weekends) of three to four days. For some people, short vacations like this are easier to de-stress than a long trip.

2. Plan to fit your budget: If money is an issue, consider low-cost options. Things like hiking, camping, and biking don't cost a lot of money. Then you won't have to worry about money and add extra stress.

3. Talk to others and make decisions: Talk to your friends and family and plan accordingly. If you prefer camping, but others prefer a hotel, compromise so that you can do both.

4. If planning is a hassle, leave it to a professional: If choosing a hotel or planning your itinerary is a burden, leave it to a travel agent. Or go on a package like a group tour or cruise.

5. Don't overdo it: Don't plan every minute of your vacation. Just take a few days to relax and unwind.

6. Leave your problems at home: Don't go on vacation and talk about problems at work, problems at home, or your children's school problems. Vacation is not the best place to find solutions to those problems. Tell your children, "We won't scold you or talk about your grades during the vacation."

7. Join like-minded groups: If you're single and like adventure, look for meet-up groups that do similar things.

How to avoid post-holiday sadness?

If you spend your vacation well, you can avoid post-vacation depression.

• Collect beautiful memories: Keep in mind the happiest, funniest things that happened during the vacation. Maybe it was a crazy thing the kids did. Or maybe it was a little shop you saw, a beautiful scene. These memories are your treasure. Remember them again and again, laugh, and enjoy the joy.
• Come home a day early to work: Don't try to go to work the next day as soon as you get home. Come home a day early, unpack, wash your clothes, and get a good night's sleep.
• Slowly get back into your normal routine: Don't have big meetings on your first day at work.
• Plan your next trip: What did you really enjoy about this vacation? What made everyone happy? Build on those good memories and start thinking about your next trip.
• Think positively: Don't dwell on things that went wrong on vacation, thinking, "Oh, I wish I had done this."
• Find things to be happy about in your daily life: Every day, think about the things you did well and were happy about.
• Meditate if you feel anxious: If you feel anxious, try to understand why. Something like meditation can help. Take a deep breath and think back to those wonderful memories from your vacation.

Finally, share the joy and freshness of your vacation with others. "We are social creatures. Happiness increases when shared. Keep those good relationships and happiness alive."