Why do I feel bad about going on vacation?

Besides misaligned expectations, banking on a vacation to be the ultimate solve or escape for something you don't feel good about already—whether it's your mood or a situation at home, relationships with loved ones, or work—can contribute to vacation guilt, says Dr. Norris.



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It can be as simple as when you're given an annual number of hours or days for vacation but you don't use them because you fear something may happen at work while you're away.

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Listen to your body but also give yourself permission to have a little fun and enjoy things you might not have the opportunity to enjoy at home. When you get home, take a deep breath and don't sabotage all the good that came from your holiday.

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While travel anxiety isn't an official diagnosis, it is a common cause of anxiety. Anytime you have to or want to travel, it can seriously impact your well-being. Even though travel anxiety can feel overwhelming, there are strategies that can help you overcome it.

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Traveling promotes happiness and helps you take your mind off stressful situations. This leads to lower cortisol levels, making you feel more calm and content. “It also helps us reflect on our personal goals and interests,” adds Greenberg.

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A 2010 study found that persistent guilt can worsen anxiety, depression, and OCD, while a 2018 study found that when guilt leads to shame, it can affect self-esteem and promote isolation. Guilt-tripping can also be a form of emotional abuse, especially if your partner: will never accept your apologies for mistakes.

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Whether it's anxiety around planning the logistics to care for kids and pets, fear of being replaceable at work, or concern about a massive workload upon return, all roads lead to unused PTO and a massive uptick in employee burnout. Workers' reluctance to take time off has been an issue for years.

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The key symptoms of travel phobia are excessive fear and avoidance of travel situations. These symptoms overlap with those of PTSD. In particular, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and fear and other negative emotions in response to trauma reminders are common PTSD symptoms.

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It manifests as apathy toward travel activities that usually excite you, and a lack of motivation to enjoy local culture and cuisine. Like other types of burnout, travel fatigue is a feeling of deep weariness and disengagement.

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