Do You Stress More Before or After a Vacation?

August 19, 2009

A vacation itself can be bliss, but the days or weeks surrounding it can be a nightmare. Between making arrangements, packing, and trying to get ahead at work before you leave, you may want to call off your vacation before it even starts. On the other hand, unpacking, dragging yourself back into work Monday morning, and catching up on what you missed when you return can be pretty anxiety-inducing as well.

Source: Flickr User Sara. Nel

14 Comments

lilkimbo 3 years 39 weeks

Honestly, neither. I don't find vacations stressful in the least; I check my Blackberry once a day for any important work messages so I know everything's handled at work while I'm gone, as well. I'm generally a pretty laid back person, so not much really stresses me out.

muchacha 3 years 39 weeks

I love vacation planning! And I don't even mind spending extra time at the office to make sure things are looked after while I am away. I do check in to the office every few days/send e-mails on crucial items, that way when I get back I avoid spending too much time digging myself out of a pile of things to do. Heading back to work this Monday, I was anxious to get in to the office and I worried if I would be drowning in work, but it's been manageable so far.

Advah 3 years 39 weeks

Well I always stress out the two days before I leave (mainly because I HATE packing), but lately I've been a complete mess when I come back. :( It seriously takes me about 2-3 weeks to get back into work mode, and I get really bummed out and useless at work. I need a new job, maybe it'd be better if I were excited to go through my daily tasks!

ilanac13 3 years 39 weeks

i stress more before. i like to make sure that everything is in order before i go and that there's no chance that things will come up that aren't manageable while i'm out of the office.

Erika Giselle 3 years 39 weeks

i'm planning a mini vacay now and i'm stressing! planning flights and booking hotels is the worst. whenever a vacation comes up i just want to hurry up and get there.

skigurl 3 years 39 weeks

before - i don't like being on a time crunch and i have recurring nightmares about having 10 minutes to pack before a fligth and stuff afterwards, i'm relaxed and while i have stuff to do, there's no timeline in which i have to do it

bigestivediscuit 3 years 39 weeks

I get really stressed out before - just getting things together, packing, being prepared, getting to the airport, etc. really stresses me out. But once I'm there I really enjoy myself! I don't regret it though as I am really grateful for being able to travel to so many different places and countries - I'd rather do that and have the stress than the alternative of never going anywhere. That would suck.

lydialee_home 3 years 39 weeks

Definitely after the vacation. Just came back from the Alaskan cruise, and I cannot bring myself to exercise for 2 days. I do not like to see messy stuff in the house, so immediately after I came back, I unpack till midnight. Then 6 loads of laundry (4 people * 10 days), it took me 2/3 days to get back to my regular routine.

Chaoticfury 3 years 39 weeks

I am so relaxed after vacation. The stress of preparing completely steeps away when I'm on the beach. I also prepare for the return beforehand: Outfits for the upcoming week; stay-at-home money that I can't spend while I'm away (also good for take-out meals since my kitchen will be bare). Work may be piled up, but you can always get through while reminiscing about the great time you just had. Also, co-workers want pictures and stories and they need to have an excuse to come over, namely work that needs updating (or they offer to help you with yours ;) Sorrym my last break was great too great for words and I'm excited for the next (even if it involves catching up on bills, phone cards, updating my passport, etc, etc, etc)

GlowingMoon 3 years 39 weeks

This is why my husband and I tend not to take vacations. Personally, I find both aspects (before and after) to be stressful. I'm a creature of habit, and I find vacations to be disruptive. Generally, for me, overall, vacations are not worth it. Hubbie feels the same way. Along the same vein, this is the reason I don't like jury duty either. So disruptive. Yes, yes, it's my civic duty, AND it's disruptive. :)

mek123 3 years 39 weeks

There is some stress before a vacation but more afterwards, as Spectra said, all the unpacking and laundry and grocery shopping and then checking emails.

pearsbeary 3 years 39 weeks

i always look forward to vacation but there seems to always be a lot of loose ends to tie up before you can fully begin to enjoy it...

Spectra 3 years 39 weeks

I get the most anxious on the day I'm coming home from vacation because I'm worried about all the stuff I have to do when I get back...all the laundry, grocery shopping, going back to work, etc...it all just drives me nuts. I don't mind the pre-vacay planning, though.

colleenb 3 years 39 weeks

I never want to go on vacation when it comes down to the day, no matter how much I've been looking forward to it. But sometimes when I come home, I don't want to unpack so I can pretend I am still away.

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