A good holiday can leave you feeling on top of the world. You’ve gotten a bit of sun, enjoyed a Spritz (or 10, but who’s counting?), and seen some impressive sights.
But the second you step off the plane back home, you might find yourself feeling deflated and struggling to settle back into reality.
If you’ve been feeling this way and have been beating yourself up about it, then don’t, as it turns out there’s actually a scientific reason why we get the post-holiday blues – and it’s all to do with neurochemistry.
Clinical psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer, from UK Therapy Rooms, told Metro.co.uk that travelling and having ‘novel experiences’ causes surges of dopamine, which in turn make us experience pleasure.
‘Essentially, our minds get a mood-boosting hit from all the newness and excitement of being on holiday. When we come back home to familiar routines and stimuli, dopamine levels can drop, leaving us feeling deflated or unmotivated as the “honeymoon phase” wears off,’ he explains.
And these feelings can be even more intense if you went on holiday with family or friends, and then returned to an empty house.
‘For singletons who’ve been on group trips, an acute sense of isolation or loneliness commonly sets in after revelling in constant social connection while away. They’ve grown accustomed to that shared experience and camaraderie, so settling back into solitude can be really quite jolting.
‘Conversely, those in couples who don’t cohabit may struggle with the void left following their concentrated time together… it can be quite unsettling going from that constant togetherness back to more sporadic hangouts.
‘Interestingly, those who live with partners, family or roommates sometimes report the opposite problem… the shock of reintegrating with others after enjoying uninterrupted autonomy during a solo adventure. Suddenly, they have to renegotiate sharing space and making compromises again,’ the expert continues.
Those with no other trips or excitement planned after the holiday might find themselves experiencing ‘deflated anticipation’ and ‘unmotivated inertia’ as well.
‘With no upcoming trip to eagerly plan and look forward to, some fall into a short-term purposeless slump,’ says Dr Daniel.
So what can we do to counteract our post-holiday blues?
Got the blues? Start planning your next holiday here...
As Dr Daniel recommends, planning your next vacation is one way to reduce the post-holiday blues as it gives you something to get excited about.
And if you’re in need of some inspiration, here’s a few ideas to get you started…
Italy’s Amalfi Coast makes for the perfect getaway. But, let’s face it; it’s also pretty pricey. Positano is often said to be the jewel of the Sorrentine Peninsula, but if you want to avoid the crowds, then you might want to take a look at its lesser-known neighbour, Praiano.
Just as pretty, the subdued town offers a bit of calm amid the tourist storm. It’s full of locals, delicious eateries and has stunning nooks and coves to explore.
It just feels more laid-back and authentic. Off-season it is equally as charming; there are cute ceramic shops, small grocers selling fresh produce and sunsets to enjoy all year round.
Alternatively, you could head off the beaten track in Greece to Zagori, in the north west of the country. Here you’ll find snow-capped mountaintops and miles upon miles of uninhabited forest
It’s several mountain ranges away from a Santorini beach party, but also detached from the grand temples of Athens. Zagori lives within and guards its own history, one of mountain-dwellers and serenity.
Or if you’d prefer a staycation, England’s best tourist attraction has been revealed, and it’ll only cost you £20 to do.
Head north to Northumberland, and book yourself onto the Grey Seals and Seabird Cruise by Serenity Farne Island Tours.
The Farne Islands are a group of 28 small islands off the coast of Northumberland, between the villages of Bamburgh and Seahouses. The most famous – and largest – is Inner Farne.
If you book a trip between April and July, you could get the chance to see mass gatherings of puffins, where they breed and hunt for fish from the North Sea.
And in the autumn and winter months, the islands are a hotspot for grey seal pupping. Some visitors have even reported spotting dolphins.
‘As with most emotional roadblocks, self-awareness is key. Recognising these feelings as temporary neurochemical shifts can help us work through them mindfully rather than wallowing,’ he advises.
Planning days out, interesting staycations, or low-cost weekend getaways could help rekindle your excitement, or if this isn’t an option, ‘thoroughly unpacking’ your holiday experience through journaling, photo albums and talking about it can help extend your dopamine rush.
But mostly, we need to reframe our mindsets.
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Dr Daniel adds: ‘Work on appreciating the renewal and growth we gained from travel, while staying grounded in gratitude for our daily lives back home. A little mental recharging is healthy, but our most profound journeys in life happen within.’
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