On vacation my anxiety has increased

Has it happened to you that you anxiously await your vacation, but in the end it did not offer you the rest you imagined?

It is clear that physical and emotional rest is necessary, so much so that when a person has worked they have the right to their vacations by law, and that in the academic area an estimated time is always dedicated to rest between semesters.

If we are in the role of family and household chores, the situation is no different; the wear and tear of the routine with children is great and often stressful, so that we find ourselves in the need to take a well-deserved vacation. But many times the emotional conditions avoided and, therefore, accumulated, do not allow us to enjoy a pleasant vacation.

• Related article: "Closed for vacations! The psychological need to rest "

The phenomenon of anxiety during the holidays

Holidays: it is a synonym of rest, of changing the routine and sharing time and space with the family or with our loneliness. However, we wonder when instead of finding tranquility we want to run, our irritability increases or we seek all the time to be active. That's when

we realize that anxiety is taking over the longed-for vacation.

There are several factors that may be emotionally affecting the person who feels this way, among them: having to be aware of our emotional reality, family conflicts or standards of perfectionism.

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Experiential avoidance

Untreated psychological processes, such as duels, the emotional wounds of childhood, low self-esteem or emotional pain, they are partially avoided with strong daily routines, chores, tasks to be completed... so many work or academic occupations that keep us away from our emotional state.

This strategy is called experiential avoidance., which has a specific objective and is not to face what is emotionally affecting. However, it is there on vacation when we have a lot of free time and can not escape from ourselves, where we have to face this reality that has been denied for months and is now difficult to avoid causing us discomfort emotional.

On the other hand, although family dynamics freeze a bit and become bearable when we are not at home or when we share very little time with our partner or family, when we are present again and share space and weather those discomforts in the dynamics of the home reappear and family conflicts become more constant; we realize that emotional distance definitely does not repair family inconveniences, on the contrary, resentments and misunderstandings accumulate, stressing daily life.

• Related article: "Types of Anxiety Disorders and their characteristics"

Too much perfectionism

Another reason that makes anxiety increase and persist over time are the perfectionistic personal standards that sometimes frustrate and sabotage our vacations.

In this condition there are two situations. The first does not allow us to enjoy the achievements and work done in our work area or academic, since we have a feeling of inadequacy and our result is not approved by us themselves; Although we have had compliments, we do not accept them and we spend the time ruminating for the dissatisfaction of not having done a better job.

The second does not allow us to rest due to the feeling of guilt when we feel that we must be busy, we believe that by resting or stopping work, we are wasting time, money or opportunities.

In this way, free time is a martyrdom and emotional discomfort appears, anxiety increases taking away the tranquility and affecting the holidays.

• You may be interested in: "Emotional management: 10 keys to master your emotions"

What does this situation generate us psychologically?

These discomforts wear us down emotionally; Anxiety interrupts sleep, uncontrolled eating behaviors, produces muscular discomfort, makes irritability to the surface and, on the contrary, we did not find the rest we longed for but rather an emotional exhaustion.

Therefore, if you have emotional conditions without working, it would be a good time to start a psychological process and catch up on your mental health.

And what can we do?

If your family situation is the problem; starting with dialogue routines can be a good way to smooth things over in family dynamics. Of course, if this does not work; it is best to seek the help of a professional.

Finally, if your situation is one of perfectionist standards and you feel anguish about being inactive, it's time to seek help; not only to enjoy a good vacation with free time, but also to celebrate and enjoy the achievements and the work done.

So a good plan for this vacation would be to stop and start catching up with your mental health, it will give you a rest of tranquility with which you will begin your new obligations labor.