# Psychological impact of anticipatory work anxiety

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/psychological-impact-of-anticipatory-work-anxiety
> Updated: 2026-09-06T00:05:11.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Psychologists are identifying a trend of ‘anticipatory anxiety’ where individuals experience stress regarding their return to work well before their holidays actually end. Experts describe this as a ‘hijacking of the present,’ where the brain struggles to balance leisure with the perceived threat of upcoming professional obligations.

Psychologist María Calle has noted that this phenomenon occurs when the body reacts to a future scenario as if it were already happening. This often manifests through ‘rehearsing a threat with unrealistic data,’ where individuals engage in repetitive mental rehearsals of meetings or emails. Such rumination, fueled by hyperconnectivity and a lack of boundaries, prevents the emotional recovery intended by vacations.

As workers transition back to routines, experts are also highlighting the risks of burnout and ‘post-vacation syndrome.’ In Spain, burnout affects 40% of workers, a rate eleven points higher than the European average according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). While symptoms like fatigue and irritability can be part of a normal adjustment process, specialists warn that intense anxiety, persistent insomnia, or deep sadness may indicate underlying issues like chronic burnout. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend planned returns, setting realistic objectives, and ensuring companies provide spaces for employee listening.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-06: Mental health experts warn of burnout during post-vacation return to work

Experts warn of rising burnout and post-vacation anxiety during the return to work, noting that Spanish burnout rates exceed the European average by eleven percentage points.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-experts-warn-of-burnout-during-post-vacation-return-to-work

### 2026-08-28: Psychologist warns of anticipatory anxiety before returning to work

Psychologist María Calle warns that anticipatory anxiety can disrupt the end of vacations, causing physical and mental distress as individuals mentally rehearse work tasks and upcoming stressors.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/psychologist-warns-of-anticipatory-anxiety-before-returning-to-work

### 2026-08-22: Anticipatory anxiety disrupts summer vacations before work return

Psychologists warn of 'anticipatory anxiety,' a phenomenon where the stress of returning to work begins weeks before the actual return, disrupting summer vacations through catastrophic thinking.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anticipatory-anxiety-disrupts-summer-vacations-before-work-return

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Cite as: Psychological impact of anticipatory work anxiety. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/psychological-impact-of-anticipatory-work-anxiety