How long does it take for work stress levels to return after a holiday?

The summer holiday season will shortly be coming to an end, which means that many of us will soon be suffering from those back-to-work blues.

If the thought of returning to work is not causing you enough worry already, recent research conducted by Reed has now revealed the exact amount of time it takes for the holiday relaxation to wear off.

The survey has shown that it takes on average 11 working hours for stress levels to return to normal after a period of annual leave. This means that the holiday relaxation can be worn off in just over one working day.

The survey found that 78% of people find going back to work stressful, with over a third feeling dread and anxiety the day before returning to work. Out of the people that took part in the survey, only 13% feel relaxed or energetic before the first day back.

It has also been suggested that modern technology may be causing further issues for people who are on holiday or will shortly be returning from holiday.

Global Managing Director at Reed, Ian Nicholas, recently commented that: “We’re entering the time of year when people come back to work after their holidays and experience the back-to-work blues. Workers are finding it harder and harder to switch off, especially as being able to take your work with you with your mobile is easier than ever.”

He added: “Tech making work more accessible often means our everyday work lives bleed into what is supposed to be our time off. Holiday restress sees people who have destressed on holiday quickly becoming stressed again moments after going back to work.”

Nearly two-thirds of workers who took part in the survey admitted they think or worry about work at some point while on holiday, with some checking their emails while they are away or just before their return. The results also show that in the run-up to annual leave, two thirds advised that they were working longer hours to compensate for the time off.

Annual leave should be a time that enables employees to take a well-needed break from the stresses and demands of working life. Ian said: “Disconnecting yourself from work is supposed to rejuvenate your mind, resulting in you being in a healthier state of mind when you return. With fewer people being able to switch off when away from work, we are becoming a more stressed and tired nation.”

Work-related stress can have adverse effect on workers’ physical health, this can include things such as fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal upsets. It can also put you at greater risk of other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

According to a review by Bupa, more than 800,000 people (around 1 in 40 workers) were thought to be affected by work-related stress, anxiety or depression in 2020 to 2021. To add to this, around 18 million working days are thought to be lost each year because of these problems. A further expert review is due to take place by Bupa in January 2025, which will likely see an increase in these figures.

It has been suggested that a change in career may be the answer to improving stress levels for some. Ian Nicholas stated:

“Maybe the question people should be asking is how much they are enjoying their career. With over half (52%) of our respondents saying they consider changing jobs post-holiday, it seems a lot of the nation could be unhappy in their current role.

“I’d strongly argue that it’s never too late to pursue a job that would make you happier and therefore less stressed. It would certainly keep those post-holiday blues at bay.”

If you need help now

If you are suffering from symptoms of stress and feel that you need help, Bupa recommends that you use the following services:

• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (UK and ROI). This helpline is free for you to call and talk to someone.
• NHS Services has a list of where to get urgent help for mental health.
• Mind website – Click the ‘Get help now’ button on the page. This is a tool that is designed to help you understand what’s happening to you and how you can help yourself.

Further reading

Stress at work – Oakwood Solicitors

If you think you might harm yourself or are worried someone else might come to immediate harm – call the emergency services on 999, or go to your local accident and emergency department.