Vacation Let-Down: Why High Performers Catch Illness When They Rest
Some high-achieving people report getting sick at the start of vacation as chronic stress gives way to rest, a phenomenon linked to the let-down/leisure-sickness concept and cortisol rebound. Evidence is limited, but experts say the body’s shift from high-output stress to relaxation can trigger headaches, fatigue, and cold-like symptoms. Practical tips include easing into time off, protecting sleep, staying hydrated, moderating caffeine and alcohol, light movement, and building a decompression day rather than an all-out sprint to vacation completion.