Taking a break can make you leisure sick

IF the thought of your work colleagues jetting off to top-up their tan makes you sick, don’t worry, the break will probably make them ill as well.

A study has found that far from wishing them 'bon voyage' through gritted teeth, we should be giving them tea and sympathy.

Experts now believe relaxation can be very stressful for some people. Researchers in the Netherlands have discovered that when it comes to taking a break, a significant number of people suffer from a new medical condition leisure sickness.

They found 3% of people become ill with a variety of complaints as soon as they step out of the office and try to relax at either the weekend or on holiday.

Symptoms like fatigue, muscular pains and nausea are most common at weekends, while cold and flu-like symptoms are particularly common during holidays.

Researchers at Tilburg University surveyed 1,128 men and 765 women from across Holland and hundreds reported symptoms in line with the researchers' definition of leisure sickness. In many cases, respondents had suffered from the condition for the past 10 years.

Most of those surveyed linked their symptoms to stress and difficulty switching off when they took breaks from work. Those with a heavy workload or those who had a high sense of responsibility were most at risk.

Professor Cary Cooper, president of the International Stress Management Association and expert in immune response, said he was not surprised by the findings.

"Relaxing can be very stressful for a lot of people. When they got off the treadmill of life their immune system collapses. Sometimes that is the only way they can relax.

"But leisure time can also be stressful because it means the day is unstructured, people have to re-establish relationships and spend time with their families."

But at least this research will give some cold comfort as you think of your colleagues heading off on their holidays and it could do as an excellent excuse for your boss when your duvet is calling.