Overcoming Post-Travel Blues: Tips and Tricks for Getting Back to Normal After a Trip

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Are you feeling down after a long vacation and thinking that you might have post-travel blues? You’re not alone. In this article, I’ll share some tips and trips on how to overcome post-vacation depression that work for me and hopefully, will help you as well!

This post was originally written in 2016, then, it was edited & updated in February 2023.

What is post-travel blues?

Traveling is an exciting adventure that provides us with new experiences, emotions, and a break from our daily routines. However, for many people, returning home can trigger feelings of emptiness, lack of motivation, and depression. This phenomenon is commonly known as post-travel depression or post-vacation blues. In this article, we will explore the signs of post-travel blues and provide tips and tricks to help you overcome it and get back to your normal routine.

How to tell if you’re experiencing post-vacation blues?

Inability unpack your luggage

One of the common symptoms of post-travel depression is feeling overwhelmed and unwilling to do anything, including performing basic chores, like unpacking your luggage. The thought of unpacking can trigger feelings of sadness and a sense that your vacation is over. It’s feels like a chapter that you don’t want to end, so you end up having your suitcase unpacked for weeks, before, eventually, unpacking and getting on with your life.

Lack of motivation

You may also experience lack of motivation. You may feel uninterested in your usual activities or work, and have trouble getting started on tasks.

Emotional changes

You may experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, or boredom, and find it difficult to shake off a negative mood.

Difficulty sleeping

You may have trouble sleeping or wake up feeling tired, even if you slept well while on vacation and the whole point of your trip was to rest and relax.

Difficulty adjusting

You may feel like you’re in a different place mentally and emotionally, and have trouble re-adjusting to your normal routine.

Longing for your trip

You may feel a strong desire to return to your vacation destination and find it difficult to focus on your daily life.

Physical symptoms associated with post-travel blues

In some cases, you may also experience headaches, fatigue, or a weakened immune system, as a result of stress and a change in routine.

Even as a seasoned traveller, who has been to over 100 countries, I often feel post-travel blues, especially, if the holiday (vacation) was fantastic. In the worst cases, my luggage stood unpacked for almost a month, can you imagine? So there is no reason to feel bad for yourself if you left yours in a living room for a while, too!

Now, let’s talk about overcoming post-vacation blues and some of the best tips and tricks for getting back to normal after a trip, that I try to follow every time and that helped me a lot!

How to get back to normal after a trip? The best ways to overcome post-vacation blues

Keep yourself busy

One of the best ways to overcome post-vacation blues is to stay active and keep yourself busy. Whether it’s exercising, taking up a new hobby, or going for a walk, engaging in physical activity can help boost your mood and energy levels. It can also help you feel more grounded and connected to your daily routine, especially if you feel like you suddenly have too much time on your hands.

Plan a new trip

Some people are just not happy with their everyday life and reality and that’s okay. Some of us hate our jobs or have such a demanding and life-draining job that it’s really hard to enjoy everyday life. I totally get it! A few years ago, I used to have a job, which I severely disliked – I just couldn’t see myself there, so travelling helped me to escape reality. I was always unhappy at work and had countdowns until the next trip. Not having a countdown until my next trip and not having another trip booked was causing a lot of anxiety and stress, so I always made sure to book another trip very soon and look forward to it every day.

If you’re feeling down, open Skyscanner and see if you can find some good deals or cheap flights to another dream destination of yours. If you need inspiration for places to go, feel free to check my ultimate travel bucket list!

Spend time with family and friends

Spending time with friends and family can help you feel less lonely and more connected to your support system. Reach out to those you care about, and make plans to spend quality time with them. This can also help you get out of your own head and focus on something positive.

Reflect on your trip

Rather than trying to forget about your trip, take the time to reflect on your experiences. Write down your memories, take a look at your photos, or talk to friends and family about what you did and saw. This can help you feel more connected to your trip and make the memories last longer.

Practice self-care

Taking care of yourself is crucial for overcoming post-vacation blues. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. This can help you feel more balanced and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Talk to a professional if you don’t feel better

If you still feel unwell after a while or your symptoms become severe, become severe, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can help you identify the root cause of your feelings and provide additional strategies for overcoming post-travel blues.

Klunkenkranich, Alternative guide to Berlin

Summary of the top tips and tricks for overcoming post-travel blues

In conclusion, post-vacation blues is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to last forever. By staying active, connecting with others, getting organised, reflecting on your trip, planning your next trip, getting back into your routine, and practicing self-care, you can overcome post-travel blues and get back to feeling like yourself.

Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:

Does Expedia Gold status really work? Expedia Rewards Review

10 ways to save money when travelling

How can we afford travelling so much?

How to travel more with 25-day annual leave in the UK? Maximising your annual leave

How to travel solo an an introvert?

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