Post-Vacation Syndrome: Feeling Sick as Soon as Vacation Starts
The summer vacations are just around the corner and then this: migraines, infections, stomach problems. As soon as you've packed your suitcase, you're already lying flat and your vacation is over before it's even begun. Post-stress syndrome - also known as leisure sickness syndrome - strikes stressed people whenever they switch into recovery mode.
In this article you will learn:
What is post-stress syndrome?
Anyone who goes on vacation and gets sick every time might be suffering from post-vacation stress syndrome. Researchers at the University of Trier have found that people with high stress levels are particularly affected. A lack of norepinephrine during rest is a possible cause.
According to a study by IU University, it may be directly related to stress in everyday work life.
Strategies for coping include good stress management and regular exercise before going on vacation. A test called "Neuropattern" can help to determine the individual risk and take appropriate measures.
Who is affected by post-stress syndrome?
While others are well rested and tanned and talking about their vacation adventures, have you spent most of your time in bed? "Why does this always happen to me?" you ask yourself. In fact, it's usually the same people who regularly fall ill when their vacation is just around the corner.
This was discovered bya research group at the University of Trier. They surveyed approximately 1,500 healthy participants and patients with acute physical or mental illnesses.
The result: Healthy people with low stress levels very rarely suffer from post-stress symptoms (2.3 percent). Among participants with mental health conditions, symptoms occurred in 20 to 35 percent of cases.
Leisure sickness: high work pressure puts a strain on many
The phenomenon known as “leisure sickness” or post-stress syndrome is not a recognized illness, but it is more than just a figment of the imagination. According to Prof. Dr. Stefanie André, an expert in health management at IU International University, it can be directly linked to stress in everyday work life.
In the representative study "Leisure Sickness: Exhausted instead of recovered" (2025), 1.9 percent of employees report so-called leisure sickness - i.e. physical complaints such as exhaustion or symptoms of illness that occur on days off or on vacation.
The results of the IU study clearly show what is bothering many employees:
- High work pressure (33.7%)
- Lack of support from superiors and colleagues (30.0%)
- Unclear distribution of tasks (23.4 %)
- Unbalanced work-life balance (20.8 %)
- Imprecise tasks (20.8 %)
In addition, long working hours (17.3%) increase the risk of the body rebelling at precisely the time when rest is actually needed - for example at the weekend or on vacation.
Stressed people fall ill four times as often
The most common complaints include tiredness or exhaustion, sleep problems, irritability, headaches and cold symptoms.
The test subjects who most urgently needed a vacation and rest were most likely to suffer from post-stress symptoms, say the Trier scientists. The risk of falling ill on vacation has been four times higher for people under a lot of stress than for people who are not stressed.
Why are you always sick when you go on vacation?
The scientists also investigated why these symptoms break out during the recovery phases.
Professor Dirk Hellhammer from the University of Trier explains:
"Stress triggers a particularly strong release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in our central and autonomic nervous systems. If the demands are particularly intense and prolonged, the consumption of norepinephrine exceeds its production. During periods of rest, too little norepinephrine is released, leading to an imbalance in the functions of the nervous and immune systems, which triggers post-stress symptoms."
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What helps with post-stress syndrome?
95.5 percent of respondents say that leisure time is a useful break from the stress of work (IU study). Only 4 out of 10 employees in Germany stated that they are unable to find the necessary relaxation in their free time .
Employers are also in demand here: according to the IU study, 63.6 percent of those surveyed would like more support from their company - for example through health offers or flexible break arrangements.
Well thought-out stress and break management can also help.
Relaxation exercises provide support, as do avoiding stress factors and good time management.
Plan small exercise sessions before your vacation
However, the best stress killer is still exercise. However, it's too late to start relaxing on vacation. It's best to incorporate small units of exercise into your daily routine weeks in advance and, for example, walk around the block during your lunch break. Exercising for 30 minutes three times a week should noticeably reduce our stress levels.
Self-Test: Do I Have Post-Stress Syndrome?
Anyone who wants to know exactly whether they are suffering from post-stress symptoms can have this reliably measured using a diagnostic procedure ("neuropattern") developed by the Trier scientists. If such symptoms and complaints are detectable, a combination of medication and dietary supplements with stress and break management can be helpful.
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FAQ: Questions and Answers About Post-Stress Syndrome (Leisure Sickness)
What is Post-Stress Syndrome (Leisure Sickness)?
A phenomenon in which people develop physical symptoms (fatigue, headaches, infections, stomach problems) shortly before or during days off or vacations, often following a prolonged period of stress.
Who is particularly at risk?
People who are under a great deal of stress—particularly those with high work-related stress or a history of mental health conditions—are at a significantly higher risk.
Why do people tend to get sick during the recovery phase?
Chronic stress increases the consumption of norepinephrine; during periods of rest, an imbalance develops in the nervous and immune systems, which can trigger symptoms.
What are the typical symptoms?
Fatigue/exhaustion, sleep disturbances, irritability, headaches, cold symptoms, stomach problems, and migraines.
How can I reduce the risk?
Specific measures: better stress and break management, regular exercise (e.g., 3×30 minutes per week), relaxation exercises, time management, and reducing stress well in advance of vacation; employers can provide support through wellness programs and flexible policies.
Are there any tests or treatment options?
Yes—diagnostic methods such as “Neuropattern” can measure the risk. If necessary, a combination of medications, dietary supplements, therapeutic interventions, and structured stress management can help.