What affects post-vacation happiness?

One reason vacations don't boost happiness after the trip may have to do with the stress of returning to work. And for some travelers, the holiday itself was stressful. “In comments from people, the thing they mentioned most referred to disagreements with a travel partner or being ill,” Mr. Nawijn said.



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A positive, well-managed vacation can make you happier and less stressed, and you can return with more energy at work and with more meaning in your life. Positive vacations have a significant effect upon energy and stress. In our study, 94 percent had as much or more energy after coming back after a good trip.

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In general, post-vacation blues will wear off over time. It usually takes a few days, but in extreme cases, the mood can last for several weeks before wearing off. Faster ways of treating post-vacation blues are for the person to share experiences with family and friends or to look at photos and souvenirs.

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Research shows planning a vacation can boost your happiness. Some people experience an elevated mood up to eight weeks before the trip. The bottom line is, take a vacation if you can.

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The University of Pittsburgh's Mind-Body Center found that taking vacation increases positive emotions and reduces depression. And spending time in nature has been shown to reduce negative rumination and improves overall psychological wellbeing.

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People tend to share vacation pictures on social media because it allows them to show off their experiences to friends and family as well as build a digital portfolio of their exciting travels. For some, it is all about the “likes” and validation from their network.

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Post-vacation depression is the feeling of hopelessness and sadness you can feel after a vacation. Coming back home from traveling can be harder than people think, especially if you have been gone for a longer period and gotten used to someplace else or distanced yourself from your every day at home.

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But if you've already reached or are close to burnout, sabbaticals and paid time off won't cure what's ailing you. In fact, burnout after vacation is not uncommon.

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Take time to decompress
It is just as important to reset your mind after your vacation as it is to reset your body. Take time to unwind and process all the unique experiences you had. Unpack and unclutter your house, but don't make your to-do list the first week back home too long.

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