HOLIDAY BLUES

The summer holiday season is over. Social media feeds are no longer filled with seaside scenes, and the relaxed pace of country life has given way to the hectic rhythm of city life. The start of September always changes everything: traffic, work emails, the mad rush of the new school term—finding school uniforms, packing rucksacks, attending the first parents' meetings. It is clear that following a holiday, we should be full of energy. Instead, many people report feeling extremely tired, irritable and listless.

This state is not just a whim or laziness, but a neurobiological process that makes perfect sense. The term used in psychology is post-holiday syndrome. When we return from a holiday to the whirlwind of daily life, our brain undergoes a genuine neurochemical readjustment.

What actually happens to the body

The brain becomes accustomed to a constant flow of dopamine—the 'happy hormone'. New experiences, the absence of alarm clocks and a change of scenery are the triggers. When the holiday comes to an abrupt end, the supply of dopamine is cut off. The result is an effect similar to mild withdrawal symptoms.

At the same time, our stress response system kicks in: the thought of the tasks that have piled up triggers a sharp surge in cortisol. Research into stress responses following sudden changes in circumstances confirms this. Physiologically, this manifests as insomnia, headaches and a 'foggy head'. A further blow is dealt by a shift in the sleep schedule of even two hours. This disrupts melatonin production and throws off circadian rhythms.

The contrast effect

It is clear that our routine has become worse. Cognitive psychologists highlight another important factor: the 'contrast effect'. When on holiday, we expect a high level of freedom and comfort. When we suddenly return to normal life, our usual work and daily routine seem much more difficult and boring than before we left. The brain compares our current routine not with some abstract norm, but with those recent, memorable days on the beach or travelling.

Syndrome or depression: where is the line?

It is crucial to distinguish between a temporary slump and a clinical condition. A study by the Netherlands Institute for Quality of Life revealed an interesting fact: a holiday does virtually nothing to increase a person's overall level of happiness once it is over. It is a fact that levels of emotional well-being return to normal almost immediately after returning to work.

The key difference between post-holiday syndrome and clinical depression is the duration and severity of symptoms: post-holiday syndrome typically lasts between 3 and 14 days. Its symptoms gradually fade as one settles back into their usual routine, and the person retains the ability to take pleasure in the little things outside of work. Clinical depression is characterised by a duration of more than two weeks without interruption. It is characterised by total anhedonia—a complete loss of the ability to derive pleasure from anything—along with a deep sense of guilt and physical exhaustion.

A double blow in September

The adjustment faced by mothers is a particular and most severe aspect of this problem. An adult without children is responsible only for themselves. A mother, however, is forced to help the whole family adapt to the new reality. The concept of 'mental load' is the term used in social psychology to describe this phenomenon. Research shows that it is most often the woman who bears the invisible burden of organising daily life: re-establishing the child's routine, buying school supplies, arranging medical check-ups, and coordinating the schedules of tutors and extracurricular activities.

The mother is an 'emotional container': she soothes her child's anxiety about returning to school, whilst herself suffering from a dopamine deficit. Women are statistically more likely than men to experience severe stress during and after the holidays because of the asymmetrical distribution of domestic responsibilities. It is a fact that the return to school life can completely deplete a woman's holiday reserves within the first 48 hours.

The proven methods to lower stress levels

Psychotherapists and physiologists recommend planning a 'decompression buffer'. You must not return to work straight away 'from the ship to the ball'. Allow 24–48 hours between returning home and your first working day. The nervous system needs this time to adapt to its environment.

Use the 'soft start' method. Return to work on a Wednesday or Thursday where possible. A short first working week is the best way to reduce the fear of an endless routine. During the first three days, focus only on simple, day-to-day tasks and postpone complex analytical work.

Give them small doses of dopamine. You must plan some enjoyable activities in advance for the first and second weeks of September to avoid a sharp neurochemical slump. A trip to the cinema, meeting up with friends or going for a walk along a new route are all good ideas.

Lower your expectations for mums. The 'good-enough' principle, formulated by British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, is the answer. The first two weeks of school don't require perfect organisation, flawless baking or top marks. The family's priority in September is emotional stability, not a perfect start. You must delegate some of the school logistics to your partner or your child.

Summing up

If you feel exhausted after the holidays, it doesn't mean you're lazy—you're perfectly fine. It's a natural adjustment your body is going through, which simply needs time. However, if apathy, tearfulness, sleep disturbances and an inability to enjoy life persist for longer than three weeks, this is a reason not to blame it all on the ‘September blues', but to seek help from a specialist—a psychologist or a psychotherapist.