Have you ever noticed that instead of feeling more relaxed and excited as your vacation approaches, you find yourself increasingly stressed and overwhelmed? If so, you might be experiencing what I call "pre-vacation syndrome" (PVS). This phenomenon is quite common and can significantly impact your health and well-being in the weeks leading up to a vacation.
What is Pre-Vacation Syndrome?
Pre-vacation syndrome refers to the decline in health and wellness that many people experience as they prepare for a vacation. Ideally, as we get closer to our vacation start date, our anticipation should build, and we should feel happier and more relaxed. However, the reality often looks quite different. Research shows that about two weeks before the start of a vacation, our health and well-being can actually decrease (see Figure below).
Why Does PVS Happen?
Taking a vacation, especially one that involves significant travel, requires a lot of preparation and can be quite stressful. The final weeks leading up to a vacation are often filled with tasks such as planning travel details, working long hours to wrap up projects, replying to extra emails, doing laundry, packing suitcases, and shopping for necessities like bathing suits and sunscreen. All these additional tasks contribute to increased stress, leading to PVS.
Consequences of PVS
PVS has two major consequences:
- Delayed Relaxation: The extra stress right before a vacation can make it harder to start enjoying the vacation immediately. It may take a few extra days to unwind and feel the positive effects of the break.
- The Let-Down Effect: After experiencing high stress, we are more prone to contracting illnesses once the stress dissipates. This is known as the let-down effect. Stress hormones released during stressful periods boost our immune system temporarily, but once the stress is gone, our immune response drops, making us more vulnerable to illnesses and flare-ups of chronic conditions.
Gender Differences in PVS
While most people experience increased work and lifework (household chores and responsibilities) leading up to a vacation, women in opposite-sex couples often bear a larger share of the lifework burden. This additional stress makes them more susceptible to PVS.
For instance, on the day my husband and I left for our honeymoon, we arrived at the airport early to enjoy the business-class lounge. While my husband explored the lounge, I collapsed into a chair, exhausted from all the vacation planning and preparation I had done. My husband, on the other hand, was stress-free because he hadn’t been involved in the planning process. This disparity in stress levels is common, with women often taking on more of the planning and organizing tasks.
Tips to Prevent PVS
To counteract PVS and ensure you start your vacation feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy, consider these four strategies:
- Take Home or Local Vacations: Reducing travel-related stress can significantly lower pre-vacation stress levels.
- Take Short Vacations: Shorter vacations require less planning and preparation, leading to less stress beforehand.
- Plan Ahead: Start your vacation preparations well in advance. Handle work and lifework tasks a month before your vacation to avoid last-minute stress.
- Delegate: Share the workload. Find reliable help for both work and lifework tasks, ensuring you don’t have to manage everything yourself.
- Plan some self-care leading up to the vacation: book a massage, listen to music, or turn on your diffuser and take a bath.
By implementing these strategies, you can minimize PVS and start your vacation feeling refreshed and ready to make the most of your time off. Happy travels!