Coming back from holiday exhausted.

[LaDamaDeElche]

Does anyone else feel like this? I love holidays and travelling and it's always a good bonding experience to spend time as a family away from the normal routines of life, but I get more exhausted each day I'm away. Unless I stay in a really good hotel, which we can't afford now as the prices are crazy, I always find the pillows uncomfortable and can never get a decent sleep. Also the eating and drinking out of my normal diet affects sleep and makes me sluggish and bloated. I love the rest of what going on holiday entails, but I just feel increasingly knackered and don't come back refreshed at all. Am more tired than when I went. So annoying!! I'd love to be one of those people who comes back glowing, refreshed and recharged, but I come back with suitcases under my eyes and needing a detox and a few good nights sleep to feel normal again!

In my case it’s cos of having to do bits of work while away, and coming back to a shitstorm, so not quite the same.. but solidarity on the knackered front.

Have you tried Airbnb though?

I'm with you op and find the actual travelling bit of a holiday really exhausting- dosn't seem to matter if it is by plane, train or car I'm always knackered after a trip. Would love some tips to overcome this.

I'm actually in an apartment. The pillows are atrocious. Lesson leant, I'll take my own next time. I live in Spain and we're holidaying in the country, so I could have brought my own. Will definitely do that next year!! I think the travelling probably contributes too as we drove for 5 1/2 hours to get here.

I think it all just upsets your natural rhythms - the travelling, food and more alcohol (a choice I know 😂) and being in a different bed.

Yes, I've had this. For me, what helps is not drinking alcohol and eating food I usually eat at home.

I think when we go on holiday we often end up drinking more than usual and eating a lot which in turn makes us feel tired and sluggish. I just cant do cocktails at lunch time now, it makes me want to sleep by 4pm.

I know lots of people will be aghast at not drinking on holiday but its honestly amazing - your sleep is better quality, you have bags more energy and you really do come back feeling refreshed.

I must be so se sensitive to extra alcohol because I'm not drinking in the day or anything, it's just the drinking every day paired with dinner in restaurants each night. I had an alcohol free day yesterday and still feel dead this morning though 😂 I think I must be have a sensitive disposition! I normally exercise most days and eat very clean, so I think holidays shock my system. Maybe next year I need to go on a retreat with juice cleanses, yoga and vegan food 😂😂

I normally exercise most days and eat very clean, so I think holidays shock my system

There's your answer then! You dont normally do it, on holiday you do, and you feel exhausted as a result.

You dont need to go on a retreat, just do on holiday what you do at home. Try it and see what happens next time! I exercise most days too and its really lovely running along the beach when away and having a change of scenery.

We get more sensitive to alcohol and unhealthy food as we get older, unfortunately. So it makes sense that we can't handle the kind of holiday routine that would have been fun when we were in our 20s.

I think also, when it's a family holiday, women often take on the emotional labour of looking after everyone and making sure everyone has a good holiday. Especially if it was you who booked it - you feel responsible. That's tiring on another level.

Yep it was alcohol for me. I became allergic, it's not that rare apparently post menopause. Haven't been able to drink for years , holidays are brilliant now. Also being old I now don't care as much about other people's opinions so I do what I want which is pretty refreshing in itself. Also I decided to spend a bloody fortune getting the holiday I wanted. Club Europe and air con villa on the beach, tavernas and shops stones throw.
I tip like a crazy person to make up for not buying expensive alcoholic drinks!

We get more sensitive to alcohol and unhealthy food as we get older, unfortunately. So it makes sense that we can't handle the kind of holiday routine that would have been fun when we were in our 20s Oh god, this definitely isn't resembling a holiday in my 20s. It's pretty tame - pool/beach, games with DD and dinner out. Have visited a couple of places, but in the evening when its cooler. Regarding alcohol, I only drink red wine and normally tolerate it very well, but I don't normally have a big dinner with a couple of glasses every night.

For me the big thing is finding it difficult to sleep well out of my own bed. I don't understand why people don't put decent mattresses and pillows in the apartments they rent out. They aren't expensive to buy here. Seems like the less I sleep the more the change of diet seems to get to me.

I think also, when it's a family holiday, women often take on the emotional labour of looking after everyone and making sure everyone has a good holiday. Especially if it was you who booked it - you feel responsible. That's tiring on another level I think this is definitely a factor. My 14 year old DD is hard work on holiday. She has ADHD and can be quite regimented as well as oppositional. She likes parts of the holiday, but would rather be at home. She'll only go to the pool, whereas DH likes the beach. I think you are spot on in what you say there that it's me making the plans and worrying that everyone else is enjoying themselves! We normally only do 5 nights to accommodate DD. Any more and she'd be a nightmare. I think in the future when it's just me and DH holidays will probably be a little less tiring/stressful as I won't be worrying about DD.

This is it - if your DD has any discomfort, you feel it's your job to manage it and compensate. And you don't have all the routines and familiar roles you have at home. It's hard, for sure!