The ‘Leisure Sickness’ Phenomenon: Why Do We Get Sick When We Should Be Relaxing?
Imagine this: the weekend or your vacation finally arrives, and instead of relaxing, you get sick! Sounds crazy, but nearly one in five employees in Germany experience this strange phenomenon known as “leisure sickness”.
What is ‘Leisure Sickness’?
A study by the International University IU in Erfurt found that 19.3% of respondents often or always experience symptoms of illness precisely during their days off, such as weekends or vacations. This phenomenon is not officially recognized as a disease, but the symptoms are very real: fatigue, headaches, fever, even a runny nose.
Why does this happen?
Professor Stefanie André, the study’s author, explains that this phenomenon is especially common among younger generations. About 50.5% of respondents under 25 years old say their private life does not provide enough rest to be ready for work challenges. Younger people often spend their free time passively—scrolling social media or watching series—which does not help real rest.
Another problem is the feeling of needing to be available outside working hours. Among those under 25, 42.6% agree with this statement, while among all respondents, it is 33.5%. Shockingly, 80.6% of respondents regularly work overtime!
What are the risks?
High availability outside work, heavy workload, and lack of proper rest are the main risk factors causing symptoms of illness precisely when someone has free days. Instead of recovering, people feel exhausted and get sick.
What can we learn?
The study shows that people who spend their free time more actively and meaningfully are less likely to experience “leisure sickness.” So, passive screen time is not rest; it might even worsen the condition.
Conclusion
The “leisure sickness” phenomenon is real and affects many people, especially younger generations. In a world where work pace is fast and boundaries between work and private life are blurred, rest becomes a rarity, and illness a frequent companion of free days.
If you are among those who get sick as soon as they get home from work or on vacation, you are not alone. Maybe it’s time to ask ourselves—do we really know how to rest? Or are we trapped in a vicious cycle of stress and illness?
So, how do you spend your free time? Have you ever experienced “leisure sickness”? Share your story, maybe together we can find a way out of this strange phenomenon!
