Anna Hartz
The Energetic Feeling Lasts Longer than Previously Thought
Most people look forward to their holiday. It’s a break from stress, meetings, screens, and constant demands.
But that relaxed, recharged feeling doesn’t last forever. A new study suggests it fades after about six weeks, reports Videnskab.
Effects Lasts Longer Than Previously Thought
Psychologists from the University of Georgia and several other institutions have gone through 32 studies from nine countries.
They wanted to understand how long the benefits of time off really stick. They looked at everything from holiday length to how much people mentally disconnect from work during their break.
The answer? On average, people feel better for about 43 days after returning to work. That’s longer than earlier studies had shown.
The researchers analyzed answers from workers who were surveyed before, during, and after their holidays.
They looked at how people felt emotionally and physically. Things like energy, stress, fatigue, and even sleep quality were taken into account.
The more relaxed and active people were during their holidays, the better they felt afterward.
But that good energy slowly faded. After about six weeks, most people were back at their pre-holiday level of well-being.
The Longer the Better
One key takeaway is that longer holidays seem to have a stronger effect. So does the ability to truly unplug from work.
That means avoiding emails, staying off work chats, and not checking in. Physical activity during holiday also helped.
Whether it was hiking, gardening, or even home repairs, doing something active made a difference.
How to Come Back to Work with Care
Some experts say it’s not just about taking a long holiday. How you plan it also matters. Starting mid-week and ending mid-week can make the return less jarring.
Spreading out days off with shorter breaks between holidays also helps keep energy levels more stable.
Still, the effects vary. Your job, your age, and even your gender may play a role. Some people bounce back faster than others. But one thing is clear. Taking time off isn’t just a luxury. It’s part of staying healthy in a world that often moves too fast.
As one researcher put it: holiday isn’t just about rest. It’s about recovery.
