Relaxation doesn’t just start on holiday.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André is an expert on health in the workplace. In this interview, she explains how leisure sickness develops and how to recognise it. The expert also provides specific tips on how to prevent leisure sickness.
Prof. Dr André, why do many employees become ill when stress levels decrease?
Leisure sickness describes symptoms such as headaches, nausea or exhaustion that occur mainly during leisure time, when we should actually be relaxing. One possible reason lies in the autonomic nervous system: during periods of stress, the sympathetic nervous system dominates, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for regeneration. In cases of chronic tension, it is difficult to switch between the two, and the body reacts to relief with exhaustion.
People with a high level of perfectionism or a need for control are particularly affected. Constant digital availability also prevents mental disengagement, as the brain remains in work mode and relaxation is inhibited.
Companies can provide targeted support by promoting a culture that allows and enables rest and relaxation. This includes training in relaxation techniques, leading by example, flexible working patterns and clear communication rules.
Digital tools such as AI-based self-checks or wearables such as the Oura Ring provide biofeedback on stress levels, sleep and relaxation. They help to identify overload at an early stage and to promote individual regeneration. Such technologies strengthen self-awareness, which is a key to mental health in an accelerated working world.
What do you think about the results of the study? Are you surprised that 71.9% of employees in Germany have experienced leisure sickness at some point?
No, I’m not really surprised. The results of the study are consistent with my observations and research on the subject. But that doesn’t make the figures any less alarming. Imagine the consequences leisure sickness can have in jobs where safety is important. If a doctor or pilot is not sufficiently rested, the risk of making mistakes increases significantly. Therefore, leisure sickness is a social issue, even if you are not personally affected by it.
Women are particularly susceptible. Many women have primary responsibility for care work in addition to their paid jobs and thus have little time for genuine rest and relaxation. Even free time is often filled with mental responsibilities, such as organising family life or providing emotional support. This sustained level of activity without breaks promotes precisely the physical and mental reaction known as leisure sickness. In emotionally demanding professions, chronic exhaustion can thus become a silent danger to health and the quality of work.
When does leisure sickness become an illness?
Leisure sickness is the body’s warning sign and should be taken seriously, even if it is not an official diagnosis. The symptoms are often non-specific and come and go, which means they are easily overlooked in everyday life. If ignored, there is a risk that the constant stress will develop into chronic fatigue syndrome or other health problems. Therefore, early attention and countermeasures are crucial.
“Leisure sickness usually lasts a few hours to a maximum of two days.”
How do I know if my exhaustion at the weekend or my illness on holiday is actually leisure sickness?
Leisure sickness typically manifests itself in symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal complaints or exhaustion that repeatedly occur during leisure time, while the person usually feels fit and well during the working day. Leisure sickness often begins right at the start of the weekend or on the first day of a holiday, and even the end of the working day can be affected. Another sign of leisure sickness is that the body paradoxically reacts to relaxation with symptoms of stress such as exhaustion or sleep problems. If this pattern repeats itself over an extended period of time, it is worth taking a closer look – for example, by asking the person affected to keep a diary of symptoms for a few weeks.
How long does leisure sickness normally last?
Leisure sickness usually lasts a few hours to a maximum of two days and often occurs at the start of weekends or holidays. The symptoms usually subside as soon as the body has adjusted to being relaxed. If symptoms of leisure sickness persist over a longer period, this may indicate a deeper-rooted stress problem.
10 tips from Prof. Dr Stefanie André to prevent leisure sickness
In your opinion, how much responsibility do employers bear? Are they responsible if employees develop leisure sickness?
Yes and no. From a health management perspective, health is the shared responsibility of employees and employers. Companies should provide guidelines and actively offer stress management measures. But even the best company measures will only have a lasting effect if employees are willing to actively use them. This means that each individual is responsible for themselves. This also means that employees should recharge their batteries during their working day by taking breaks, exercising and taking time out. And they should ensure they get enough rest and relaxation during their holidays and leisure time.
So prevention of leisure sickness begins at work?
Exactly. If you can recognise your individual stress signals and schedule regular breaks into your working day, you can effectively prevent stress and reduce the risk of developing leisure sickness. This is especially true for people who are perfectionists or performance-oriented. Many people like this really have to practise relaxing.
“Health is a shared responsibility.”
And while we’re on the subject of relaxation: you mentioned that not every leisure activity is necessarily relaxing. What is the best way for me to relax?
People recover best with a combination of active and passive activities, i.e. a mix of exercise and rest, socialising and being alone. In addition, people who find their leisure time meaningful are better able to relax. Whereas those who feel that they are falling into a meaningless, unstructured period after work find it difficult to recharge their batteries. Therefore, it is important that people see leisure time not just as a break from work, but as an active recovery process in order to protect themselves from exhaustion and illness in the long term.
If you could give just one tip to combat leisure sickness, what would it be?
Set boundaries. And turn your phone off. Okay, that’s two tips, but they often go hand in hand.
