Post-Vacation Blues: When Coming Home Feels Harder Than It Should

You just returned from a beach trip to Jekyll Island or a mountain escape to Helen—and now you're facing the Monday commute down I-85 with a heavy heart. Post-vacation depression is real, and at Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, we help patients understand when it's normal and when it might signal something deeper.

Is This Normal?

Post-vacation sadness affects about 80% of people to some degree. It's a natural response to leaving behind relaxation and returning to responsibilities. This is NOT the same as clinical depression—it's temporary and has a clear cause.

Why It Happens

• Abrupt transition from leisure to stress
• Loss of vacation activities and experiences
• Confronting accumulated work or responsibilities
• Sleep schedule disruption
• Realization that daily life isn't fulfilling

Strategies That Help

Address Life Stressors

If returning to normal life feels unbearable, it might be time to examine what isn't working—a toxic job, relationship issues, or lack of work-life balance.

Plan Enjoyable Activities

Schedule things to look forward to: dinner with friends, a Gwinnett Stripers game, exploring Stone Mountain, or a spa day.

Restore Your Sleep Schedule

Get back to consistent sleep times as soon as possible—sleep affects everything.

Plan Your Next Trip

Research shows anticipation boosts happiness. Even planning a day trip to Lake Lanier can help.

When to Seek Help

If sadness persists beyond two weeks, interferes with daily functioning, or includes symptoms like hopelessness, loss of interest in everything, or thoughts of self-harm, it may be more than post-vacation blues.