Leisure Sickness

What Is Leisure Sickness?
Leisure Sickness is a psychological term used to describe people who become ill during the weekends and holidays, but seem to get better once they are back at work. Basically, any separation from their job will make workaholics affected with this disorder seriously ill. This disorder is not universally accepted by all psychologists and is similar to Underload Syndrome and Paradise Syndrome.

Leisure Sickness can also refer to recent retirees who led very active careers and their bodies seem to have a reaction to not having any work to do.

Who Gets Leisure Sickness?
Workaholics and other achievement-driven individuals are most at risk for this disorder because they have a difficult time transitioning from the workplace to a non-work environment. Approximately 3% of sufferers of Leisure Sickness feel ill every single weekend and holiday.

What Causes Leisure Sickness?
According to a Los Angeles Times interview with Esther Steinburg, a researcher of neuroendocrine immunology at the National Institutes of Health, "In times of stress, the body's adrenal glands release adrenaline. Adrenaline gives a boost to the immune system. But while adrenaline is pumping, so is cortisol -- a potent anti-inflammatory hormone also released by the adrenal glands. Cortisol works as an anti-inflammatory is because it's turning off the immune cells. What happens when you stop doing what it is you were doing that stressed you is that the adrenaline shuts off first," Sternberg says. "You are left with this cortisol floating around. And if at that moment someone coughs in your face, you get sick."

What Are The Symptoms Of Leisure Sickness?
The symptoms of Leisure Sickness include insomnia or other sleep problems, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, cold or flu symptoms, headaches, migraines, body aches, joint pain, depression, agitation, and getting ill during vacations, holidays, or weekends.

The symptoms will typically disappear when the sufferer goes back to work.

How Does Leisure Sickness Affect The Recent Retiree?
Those who have led successful and demanding careers may find that they are more prone to illness and infection after they retire. Although this could be a result of their aging bodies, some researchers believe that their systems are simply reacting to a dramatic and sudden decrease in mental stimulation.

Leisure sickness is still being debated among medical experts and is currently not an accepted diagnosis by all psychologists. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is recommended you talk to your doctor to eliminate the possibility of other medical or psychological conditions.

Sources:

Los Angeles Times: Perhaps It's A Case Of Leisure Sickness, http://articles.latimes.com/2007/dec/31/health/he-leisure31?pg=2

WiseGeek: What Is Leisure Sickness,http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-leisure-sickness.htm