Post-holiday syndrome and antioxidants

In Spain, it is estimated that around 30% of workers suffer from post-holiday syndrome, commonly known as the post-holiday blues, after returning to work following a lengthy holiday, which usually falls in September.

This syndrome is marked by a lack of concentration, energy and motivation, a feeling of sadness and apathy, and even headache and/or muscle pain.

To help you prevent and combat this health problem we are going to give you some tips, to make your return to work more pleasant.

The importance of antioxidants

Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, etc. help to combat the biochemical changes that occur in the body as a result of stress, which can lead to anxiety or depression.

This is why it is important to have a daily intake of essential vitamins and minerals, as adequate levels of these are necessary for the body to produce serotonin.

Serotonin is a chemical substance that acts as a neurotransmitter and it is responsible for stabilising your mood. Low serotoninlevels in the body can lead to depression, fatigue, negativity, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, lack of concentration, etc., symptoms of the post-holiday blues.

Tips on how to survive the return to work

Besides your intake of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, there are a number of tips that can help you to prevent and overcome post-holiday syndrome:

• Stay positive. Being optimistic and setting new goals and challenges will make the return to your daily routine more enjoyable and pleasant.
• Plan your work, check your emails in the order in which they were received, organise work items, etc.
• Boost your creativity with activities in your free time. This will help you to switch off from work and stimulate your mind.
• Follow a  healthy diet and do sports as this will help you to be clear-headed and have a more optimistic outlook.
• Eat tryptophan-rich foods like nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, oily fish, lean meat, eggs, etc.