How to Overcome the Post-Travel Blues

How to Overcome the Post-Travel Blues 

So, you’ve just returned home from an amazing holiday, and you're starting to feel the travel buzz slipping away. As you realise your holiday is officially over and 'normal' life resumes, you might start feeling inexplicably sad. You might have assured friends and family you missed them, but secretly, you’d hop on the next flight out in a heartbeat. Sounds like you’ve got a bad case of the Post-Travel Blues (PTB)! 

But don’t worry! We’ve got some great tips to help you kick those post-travel blues and get back to your happy self. 

What are Post-Travel Blues (PTB)? 

PTB is that feeling of sadness and longing for the excitement of travel after returning home. It’s like the pain of realising its Sunday night and you must go back to work the next day or finishing a great TV series and having to wait another year for the next season. Returning to normal everyday life can leave you feeling down and out. 

At Fast Cover, we characterise PTB by a feeling of sadness about being home, mixed with cravings to be somewhere else. If you’ve been feeling like this for a while, you might have accepted this as your new normal. But don’t worry, there are ways to manage PTB. 

Who Suffers from PTB? 

Here at Fast Cover, we haven’t heard of anyone being immune to PTB. Everyone, from young children to centenarians are at risk once they’ve been on a trip, whether it was a domestic holiday within Australia or an international adventure. 

What Causes PTB? 

We’re not doctors, but we suspect there’s an underlying biological pathway in the brain activated by going on holiday that can’t be simply deactivated. If left untreated, this can lead to PTB. Anyone can get hooked on the leisurely pace or the excitement of adventure during a holiday. Adjusting back to the daily routine can be difficult, and travellers may find themselves subconsciously rejecting ‘normal’ activities like work, cleaning, and returning phone calls. 

What Triggers PTB? 

PTB can be triggered by a range of seemingly harmless, everyday activities, including: 

• Hearing or seeing an airplane. 
• Waking up to your alarm. 
• Hearing a school bell. 
• Doing household chores. 
• Seeing a Hawaiian floral shirt or a cocktail with an umbrella in it. 

Symptoms of PTB 

Everyone’s experience will be slightly different, but if you recognise some of the following symptoms in yourself or a friend, you might be dealing with PTB: 

• A new habit of daytime napping. 
• Expressing a strong desire for buffet breakfasts. 
• Wearing loose harem pants. 
• Craving exotic food. 
• Starting most conversations with “That reminds me of when I was in…” 
• Buying tiny cocktail umbrellas or twisty straws for your drinks. 
• Gazing longingly out of the nearest window. 

Fast Cover’s Tips to Manage PTB 

You don’t have to go completely cold turkey from travel to get over your PTB. It’s far healthier to wind down slowly by managing the symptoms. 

Is There a Cure for PTB? 

There is only one known cure for PTB – go on another holiday! 

FAQs

Ready to kick those post-travel blues to the curb?  

Start planning your next adventure with Fast Cover travel insurance by your side.

Check out our Travel Suitcase while you plan - we've packed many helpful hints about Travel Insurance, travel health and staying safe into our travel suitcase to help you have safe and happy travels.

Get a quote today and enjoy your future travels! 

Any advice is general only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which product is right for you.