Life slows and I get ill

[Frimley111R]

Why do I get ill when on hols or just taking time off? I feel like my body relaxes and my immune system goes on holiday! When life is flat out I seem to be able get by without much sleep, down time, relaxing and its almost as if my immune system is going flat out too.

[goldblum]

Bad luck I'm afraid.

[Hoofy]

I've noticed some people get that. No explanation but you're not the only one!

[shouldbworking]

Me too. Vitamin supplements seem to help for me.

[ewenm]

Normal for me too. I tend to try to make sure my holidays are active so it's a change rather than a rest.

[redtwin]

My Dad is the same way. Self employed so pretty much works non-stop, no allocated holidays etc. As soon as he takes a week off work he comes down with a cold or flu-like symptoms. It is like clockwork.

[Slyjoe]

Same here, only ever ill on holiday

[goldblum]

Teddye4687 said:

It's fairly common.

I studied this a while back and in summary, when going through times of stress, such as exams or projects in work, your body effectively builds a defence system to get you through the phase.

Once the stressful period is over, or if sustained for longer periods of time, your defence usually drops.

I seem to contradict the theory, though.

Edited by Teddye4687 on Tuesday 10th July 14:38

It's a psychological theory based on the premis that busy people find it hard to relax when on holiday and develop psychosomatic symptoms associated with guilt from having time off.

I don't suffer.

Your blood cell count won't change when you are away so there's no justification in reaching for supplements etc.

One possible explanation is that if you are meeting more people you would increase your possible exposure to virus'.

[turbolucie]

I noticed this a lot. I don't get ill during term time (I'm a student) then as soon as the holidays come I crash and get a cold, and temporarily feel a bit down in the dumps. My friends have noticed it too, even if they take a weekend out to go to their parents', they'll come down with a cold or even get ill, tonsillitis etc.