Why we get sick so often on vacation: Motivational trainer explains what helps
Many people know this: You're finally on vacation and then you get sick. To avoid this annoyance, motivational coach and time management expert Cordula Nussbaum has some tips.
Although vacation is primarily meant to be a time for relaxation, things often look different just before the trip. Everything needs to be planned, packed, and last-minute errands need to be taken care of. These are tasks that can often cause stress.
"When we're stressed, our body releases the stress hormone cortisol , which suppresses our immune system. This means that everything that needs to be processed in the body doesn't happen at first," explains motivational coach and author Cordula Nussbaum. When recovery slowly begins on the first day of vacation, cortisol levels drop again. "The immune system builds up and then fights against all the bacteria and viruses in the body. And suddenly, we're sick," she explains.
This means that the sudden drop in stress can cause us to become ill – and that's the end of relaxation. The time management expert therefore recommends incorporating some rest into our daily routine before our vacation. "Mentally get into vacation mode so that this transition – cortisol drops, immune system boosts – takes place more slowly, and then we have a realistic chance of actually starting our vacation healthy and staying healthy while we're on vacation."
It can also be helpful to find something to mentally engage in during the first few days of vacation to distract your mind from stressful things. "Reading a good book, going to a high ropes course, or playing games with the family. Anything that keeps us mentally occupied helps us unwind and refocus," says the motivational trainer.
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