Some people seem to have an inherent tendency to constantly work, as they fall ill whenever they take a break. They experience various aches and discomforts, either feeling pain here or discomfort there. Why does this happen?
Thea van de Mortel, Honorary Professor of Nursing at Griffith University in Australia, wrote in an article on The Conversation website that there is a phenomenon known as “leisure sickness.” There is limited research on this topic, and the existing studies are not comprehensive enough.
According to Mortel, the term “leisure sickness” was first introduced by Dutch researchers in a study conducted in 2002. It refers to individuals who rarely get sick during workdays but are more prone to falling ill over weekends or holidays.
In a study involving 1,893 participants, researchers found that about 3% of them reported experiencing “leisure sickness,” with common symptoms including headaches, fatigue, cold and flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, and nausea.
However, this study relied on people’s recollections, which may not be entirely reliable. Moreover, the definition of “leisure sickness” is somewhat ambiguous, as one person’s interpretation of “rarely” and “relatively frequently” may differ from another’s.
Another study published in 2014 examined “let-down headaches.” Twenty-two participants who frequently suffered from migraines were asked to record their stress levels and migraine episodes.
The study revealed that reducing stress seemed to trigger migraines, which goes against intuition. Participants often experienced migraines within the next 24 hours after recording a decrease in stress levels. If work serves as a stressor, it could indicate why migraines might occur on days off.
There is some evidence suggesting that certain individuals are more likely to have a stroke on weekends than on workdays. Although the exact reasons are not clear, researchers believe that lifestyle changes over the weekend may be a contributing factor to stroke onset.
Mortel mentioned that due to a lack of high-quality research, the underlying causes of “leisure sickness” are not fully understood, but there are some theories that can explain it.
One theory suggests that people often travel during holidays. Spending long hours in enclosed and crowded spaces like airplanes increases the chances of bacterial exposure. Traveling to distant places may also expose individuals to bacteria their immune systems are not equipped to handle.
People may also consume more alcohol during holidays, which can weaken the immune function. Additionally, individuals may engage in activities during vacations that put stress on the body that it is not accustomed to.
Another theory posits that busy work distracts us, making it less likely for us to notice bodily symptoms. During vacations, symptoms like muscle pain or headaches may become more noticeable, and since we cannot attribute these issues to work, we may be more attentive to bodily discomfort.
Mortel highlighted the complex relationship between stress and the immune system. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading the body to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
Sustained stress can keep cortisol levels elevated, eventually impairing immune cells’ ability to respond to infections. When exposed to viruses or bacteria, individuals are more susceptible to falling ill.
However, in the short term, both adrenaline and cortisol can enhance certain aspects of the immune system. This means that acute stress can temporarily boost our resistance to infections, which explains why we might feel busy and stressed but not fall ill. Cortisol’s anti-inflammatory properties can also alleviate pain.
When acute stress stops—such as during vacations—a sudden shift may occur. We no longer benefit from the immunity boost and pain relief brought about by cortisol. Consequently, we might experience illnesses, including headaches and muscle pain.
As for how people can avoid falling ill, Mortel mentioned that even in busy times, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a healthy balanced diet can help strengthen the immune system.
Since chronic stress is linked to various chronic illnesses, effectively managing work stress is crucial. There is ample evidence showing that practices like meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques can help alleviate stress.
Additionally, there are measures individuals can take to reduce the risk of respiratory infections during vacations, allowing them to fully enjoy their time off. Mortel recommends timely flu vaccinations and taking other preventive measures, such as wearing N95 masks on airplanes and at airports.