31/07/2025
Ever notice how you power through work like a champ… then BAM — cold, flu, fatigue right when your holiday starts?
It’s a real thing. It’s called leisure sickness, and here’s what’s going on:
🔄 From “Go, Go, Go” to “Rest & Repair”
When you’re in hustle mode, your body runs on stress hormones (like cortisol). These keep you alert, wired… and kind of numb to what’s really going on inside.
But when you finally slow down? Your body says, “Finally!” and switches into rest-and-digest mode where it starts healing, clearing out toxins, and dealing with all the stuff it’s been ignoring.
👀 That’s When the Symptoms Creep In:
• 🤒 Immune Rebound – Your immune system wakes up and starts fighting viruses that were just chilling.
• 😴 Adrenal Crash – The tiredness you’ve been pushing through finally hits.
• 💨 Gut Reset – Digestion kicks in again, sometimes causing bloating or sluggishness.
• 💥 Detox Mode – Your body starts clearing inflammation, which can feel a bit like getting sick.
🛡️ How to Avoid the Holiday Crash:
✨ Rest before the rest. Don’t save it all for your holiday, take micro-breaks during the week.
🌿 Support your stress system. Think magnesium, B vitamins, adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola.
💧 Nourish your body. Eat colourful, antioxidant-rich food. Hydrate. Take zinc + vitamin D if you’re prone to sniffles.
🚫 Watch the booze + caffeine. Both zap your resilience especially when you’re already tired.
📅 Don’t overschedule your “break.” Leave space to do nothing. Your body will thank you.
If you feel a bit off as soon as you relax, you’re not broken, you’re healing. Give yourself time to actually rest, and you’ll come back stronger. 💪
Inspired by CNM - College of Naturopathic Medicine leisure sickness blog. If you wish to study with them mention my name and you’ll get a discount ✨
