The vacation that tires you out more than work: Why relaxation is an impossible mission for many

For many, the ideal vacation, a time for relaxation and escape from daily life, becomes a source of stress and anxiety. Instead of returning refreshed, some find themselves more tired and agitated than before their break.

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For 15 years since I've been going on vacation, I've realized it's just an extra reason for stress and that you return home with even more nerves. You sit and look for tickets, you wait in airports, you lie on the beach like sardines, you get enterocolitis, you catch a cold, you argue with someone over a parking spot. I look at others and they are all nervous and recalcitrant.

Online discussions reveal a divide: some travelers consistently find vacations stressful, citing issues like travel hassles, crowded beaches, and even illness. Others, however, report always feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, suggesting personal preference or destination choice plays a role. One common sentiment is that overly planned vacations often fail to deliver relaxation, while spontaneous trips are more successful.

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Every time I go on vacation, I relax and wish it would never end. Maybe you're not going where you like.

Psychotherapist Laura Găvan explains that for some, the shift in rhythm and the abundance of free time during vacation can be psychologically challenging. Daily routines provide a sense of control and safety, and their abrupt interruption can surface underlying anxieties or concerns. When this happens, the time meant for rest becomes a period of tension.

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Absolutely all the vacations I went on without plans were relaxing. Absolutely all the vacations with plans were total failures.

Furthermore, individuals who define their self-worth through performance and productivity may experience guilt during periods of rest. This can lead to unconscious feelings of wasting time, preventing them from truly recharging their mental and physical resources. The vacation, intended for recovery, ends up being a source of internal conflict.

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For many people, vacation is associated with relaxation, rest, and detachment from daily routine. However, for others, vacation can become an unexpected source of anxiety and stress. Although it seems paradoxical, the change in life rhythm is not always easy to manage psychologically.