The extended holiday break has just ended, and one should be in a good mood. Yet upon stepping out, you notice many people on the subway or in the office wearing expressions of "anguish": furrowed brows, blank stares, or blank stares. Your own mood inevitably gets affected.How should one respond to these pained expressions?
Four Scenarios Prone to Post-Holiday Emotional Instability
After every holiday, many people experience varying degrees of fatigue, depression, irritability, or reluctance to return to work. Bringing these emotions into the workplace can easily subject colleagues to emotional violence.Wang Yanling, Deputy Chief Psychologist at the Clinical Psychology Department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, identifies several causes: First, excessive work demands and overly high holiday expectations—hoping to rest or play thoroughly—often lead to disappointment when reality falls short. Second, sudden over-relaxation during breaks creates psychological dissonance between pre- and post-holiday states.Third, some pack their holidays too tightly, leaving themselves physically and mentally exhausted after eight days, which can also lead to irritability and reluctance to return to work. Fourth, some disrupt their routines during holidays—sleeping excessively or staying up late—disrupting their biological clocks and leaving them unmotivated at work.
Responding to Facial Violence with a Smile
Post-holiday negativity and facial expressions can easily spread to others.Wang Yanling noted that after every holiday, many patients complain about reluctance to return to work because colleagues in the same office wear gloomy expressions, dragging down their mood too. This "emotional contagion" is actually quite common among white-collar workers. Generally, employees who are overly blunt, lack self-control, or have lower emotional intelligence tend to convey negative messages through facial expressions and body language, affecting coworkers' emotions.
If you encounter facial expression violence after the holidays, turn passivity into proactivity by using a smile to influence others. For instance, if you notice a colleague looking unhappy, try greeting them, telling a joke at the right moment, or discussing something that interests them to break the ice. If that doesn't work, try to understand their difficulties and remind yourself that these expressions aren't directed at you personally—this will help ease your own mood considerably.
If you tend to exhibit post-holiday facial expressions, practice emotional regulation to minimize bringing personal frustrations to work. Cultivate supportive mentors and friends who can gently remind you when your mood wavers. Self-encouragement is crucial—when you notice your own facial expressions, give yourself a positive cue like pumping your fist or flashing a V-sign to quickly shift into a positive mindset.
Many white-collar workers eye sick leave slips
Xiao Liu, an employee at a foreign trade company, didn't rest a single day during the National Day holiday. After visiting Mount Tai with friends, he spent the rest of the break gaming at home and occasionally drinking with friends. After several days of exhaustion, he felt reluctant to return to work, struggling to refocus and feeling completely drained.Fearing his manager's criticism, he devised a "master plan" to take sick leave—only to be turned away by the doctor.
"Several people today wanted sick notes, but they weren't actually sick—they just didn't want to work."Yesterday afternoon, a doctor at Haici Hospital told reporters that before every holiday ends, many people try to get sick notes from hospitals to avoid work. "We can issue sick notes, but only if you're genuinely ill—both test results and symptoms must be convincing."
Expert: Post-Holiday Blues Can Resolve Within a Week
Feeling listless and unmotivated for two to three days after the holidays, with low work efficiency and even unexplained nausea, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, nervous anorexia, anxiety, or neurasthenia; elderly individuals struggling to adjust to the sudden return to quiet days; children unable to focus on preparing for upcoming studies.
Case Study
Mr. Li: Hello! I'm a nearly 40-year-old knowledge worker. After the holidays, work quickly became hectic, keeping my mind occupied for eight hours straight. Lately, I've been sweating heavily around my chest and heart area, my appetite has been poor, and I often wake up suddenly in the middle of the night. A colleague joked that I have "post-holiday syndrome."
Response:
Based on your symptoms, it's possible you are indeed experiencing "post-holiday syndrome." Many people in real life share this experience: feeling bored and unmotivated for the first two or three days after holidays, with low work efficiency, and even unexplained nausea, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, nervous anorexia, anxiety, or neurasthenia.Elderly individuals struggle to adjust to the sudden return to quiet days; children find it hard to settle down and prepare for the upcoming school term. These are classic manifestations of "post-holiday syndrome." Its related symptoms can be categorized into the following aspects:
Travel sickness: After returning from visiting relatives or traveling, experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort or even feeling unwell all over.
Palpitations and Shortness of Breath: Extended exposure to crowded, poorly ventilated public spaces like enclosed malls or cinemas during holidays can trigger symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, chest tightness, irritability, nausea, and vomiting.
Work phobia: This is the most common symptom. Gatherings with family and friends often provide opportunities for unrestrained "celebrations." Many justify indulging with the excuse "it only happens once a year," often failing to "hit the brakes" before returning to work.This period often brings physical exhaustion from lack of sleep, mental fogginess, difficulty concentrating, and even fear or aversion toward returning to work or school.
Post-Holiday Blues: The high excitement of festive celebrations can create a stark contrast when returning to routine life. Some people may temporarily feel lonely, bored, or even depressed.
These phenomena are actually normal psychological responses for most urban dwellers. Even if you feel temporarily unsettled, recovery typically occurs within about a week after the holidays, so there's no need for excessive worry. Maintaining a regular schedule and a positive mindset are the best remedies for a swift recovery.
Here are some specific suggestions:
Take digestive aids like stomach tablets or hawthorn tablets to aid digestion. Drinking tea can also help cleanse the stomach and intestines.Opt for lighter meals to give your fish-filled stomach a break. As the weather warms, consider waking up half an hour earlier for jogging or calisthenics to get your body moving—this will naturally regulate your appetite. Regarding sleep, prioritize early bedtimes and wake-up times to gradually reset your biological clock.Before bed, take a walk, enjoy a hot bath or foot soak, sip a glass of milk, listen to soothing music, and practice deep breathing to unwind. During your initial return to work, avoid assigning yourself challenging tasks. Keep your workspace clean and organized. If you still feel anxious, irritable, or lack energy, consider drinking tea or coffee, eating fruit or chocolate, and extending your afternoon nap.
However, if physical discomfort persists after a period of adjustment—particularly if sleep issues remain unresolved—it may indicate underlying psychological or mental health factors. In such cases, seek systematic clinical diagnosis and treatment at a hospital.