24 Feb 2026
17m

Is post-Chinese New Year syndrome a thing?

Podcast cover

Round Table China

The podcast explores the phenomenon of post-holiday syndrome, characterized by fatigue, lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating after a long break. The hosts discuss how overindulgence in food, irregular sleep schedules, and disrupted biological clocks during holidays contribute to this syndrome. Workplace anxiety and the overwhelming feeling of catching up on missed work are also considered as contributing factors. The discussion also covers "leisure sickness," where individuals experience flu-like symptoms when they begin to relax during their vacation due to the body's physiological rebound from high stress levels. Strategies for combating post-holiday syndrome include adjusting back to a normal routine, maintaining some habits during the holiday, and gradually reintroducing caffeine.

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