5 scientific explanations for why summer holidays are so exhausting
You've barely survived the holidays? You're not the only one. Studies show that the summer break isn't necessarily relaxing and even makes some people sick.
When a vacation makes you sick
A study by a Bonn university has found that a period of vacation can actually make you sick. People who go on vacation have more chances of getting headaches, insomnia or the flu. Twenty-two percent of the study's participants felt suddenly sick during their break from work. The explanation: The immune system also takes a break, and is therefore more vulnerable.
The couple trap
According to one psychological study, couples in Germany often decide to separate during their vacation: One third of all divorces are filed right after the summer holidays. Why? Unresolved domestic issues come to light when couples take time off together. According to the study, more women initiate divorce than men.
Heat makes people aggressive
Talking about fights: The heat probably doesn't help either. American researchers found that football players were more ruthless on extremely hot days. If you found you or the people around you were more irritable this summer, blame it on the heat wave.
Holidays can make you dumber
Another study demonstrated something we perhaps all feared: Doing nothing makes you stupid. Some study participants lost 20 IQ points after days of idleness. Apparently the brain takes its own vacation. However, people who are active during their vacations come back home with a higher IQ.
The Stendhal syndrome
Yet some people overdo the intellectual input while on holiday. Too much sightseeing may lead to cultural overstimulation. The so-called Stendhal syndrome is named after the 19th century French author who first described feeling overwhelmed while discovering Florence's sights. He wasn't the only one. The symptoms of this psychosomatic disorder include dizziness, rapid heartbeat and panic attacks.