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Psychological impact of anticipatory work anxiety
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2026-08-28 22:26 UTC → 2026-09-07 04:26 UTC ·
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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. This 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 as ‘silent hypervigilance’ or through ‘rehearsing a threat with unrealistic data,’ where individuals engage in repetitive mental rehearsals of pending tasks and meetings. Symptoms include physical tension, irritability, difficulty resting, and a sense of urgency. Factors such as meetings or emails. Such rumination, fueled by hyperconnectivity and a lack of boundaries during time off can exacerbate these feelings, leading individuals to engage in what experts call ‘rehearsing a threat with unrealistic data,’ which ultimately boundaries, prevents the psychological rest 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.
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- 2026-09-07 04:26 UTC Psychological impact of anticipatory work anxiety
- 2026-08-28 22:26 UTC Psychological impact of anticipatory work anxiety
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