Health factors behind post-holiday illness

Falling ill during or immediately after a vacation is a common phenomenon that can be attributed to several biological and psychological factors. According to the Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap (NHG), one primary reason is the incubation period of infections. Individuals may contract a virus or bacteria during their travels, but symptoms such as the flu or a cold may not manifest until they return home.

Psychological factors also play a significant role. Ad Vingerhoets, a psychologist and emeritus professor at Tilburg University, describes a phenomenon known as ‘leisure sickness.’ He suggests that when individuals are busy, they may overlook physical signals from their bodies. Once the distractions of daily life are removed and the body relaxes, symptoms like fever or fatigue become more noticeable. Additionally, high adrenaline levels during active periods can influence the immune system, potentially making individuals more susceptible to infections that surface once they begin to unwind.