So, you’ve just returned home from an amazing holiday, and you're starting to feel the travel buzz slipping away. As you realise your holiday is officially over and 'normal' life resumes, you might start feeling inexplicably sad. You might have assured friends and family you missed them, but secretly, you’d hop on the next flight out in a heartbeat. Sounds like you’ve got a bad case of the Post-Travel Blues (PTB)!

But don’t worry! We’ve got some great tips to help you kick those post-travel blues and get back to your happy self.

What are post-travel blues (PTB)?

PTB is that feeling of sadness and longing for the excitement of travel after returning home. It’s like the pain of realising it's Sunday night and you must go back to work the next day or finishing a great TV series and having to wait another year for the next season. Returning to normal everyday life can leave you feeling down and out. 

At Fast Cover, we characterise PTB by a feeling of sadness about being home, mixed with cravings to be somewhere else. If you’ve been feeling like this for a while, you might have accepted this as your new normal. But don’t worry, there are ways to manage PTB. 

Who suffers from PTB?

Here at Fast Cover, we haven’t heard of anyone being immune to PTB. Everyone, from young children to centenarians are at risk once they’ve been on a trip, whether it was a domestic holiday within Australia or an international adventure. 

What causes PTB?

We’re not doctors, but we suspect there’s an underlying biological pathway in the brain activated by going on holiday that can’t be simply deactivated. If left untreated, this can lead to PTB. Anyone can get hooked on the leisurely pace or the excitement of adventure during a holiday. Adjusting back to the daily routine can be difficult, and travellers may find themselves subconsciously rejecting ‘normal’ activities like work, cleaning, and returning phone calls. 

What triggers PTB?

PTB can be triggered by a range of seemingly harmless, everyday activities, including: 

• Hearing or seeing an airplane. 

• Waking up to your alarm. 

• Hearing a school bell. 

• Doing household chores. 

• Seeing a Hawaiian floral shirt or a cocktail with an umbrella in it. 

Symptoms of PTB

Everyone’s experience will be slightly different, but if you recognise some of the following symptoms in yourself or a friend, you might be dealing with PTB: 

• A new habit of daytime napping. 

• Expressing a strong desire for buffet breakfasts. 

• Wearing loose harem pants. 

• Craving exotic food. 

• Starting most conversations with “That reminds me of when I was in…” 

• Buying tiny cocktail umbrellas or twisty straws for your drinks. 

• Gazing longingly out of the nearest window. 

Fast Cover’s tips to manage PTB

You don’t have to go completely cold turkey from travel to get over your PTB. It’s far healthier to wind down slowly by managing the symptoms. 

Ease back to normality

Jumping straight back into your work routine can be a shock to the system. Instead, try to ease yourself gently back into your old routine. A few days of rest before returning to work will give you time to see friends, tackle laundry, and come to terms with the absence of room service. 

Be a tourist in your own town

There’s no reason you can’t be a tourist in your own neighbourhood! Try out a new local restaurant or bar, take a day trip or weekend getaway to a nearby town, visit local museums and art galleries, take long walks on the beach, or explore walking trails in your area. Don’t forget to put a little chocolate on your pillow each night for that hotel feel. 

Check out our Australian travel guide for inspiration on our key destinations, helpful safety and travel tips. Pack in your thongs, think about getting your travel insurance for Australia ready and go visit the land down under! 

Become a travel resource

Share your travel experiences with anyone who’ll listen! Tell your friends and family about your trip – they’re obliged to listen at least once, right? If their eyes start to glaze over, you can join online travel forums, leave reviews on TripAdvisor, start your own blog, or submit guest posts to community travel blogs.  

You can even email us your adventures – we’d love to read about them! 

Recreate travel memories

Bring a few aspects of another culture into your home. Cook dishes you enjoyed overseas, research the history and culture of your destination, learn a new craft or skill you saw on holidays, redecorate a room in the theme of your travel destination, or learn a new language online or attend a class. 

Get creative with souvenirs

Turn your photos and journal entries into creative projects. Make a digital scrapbook, create a Spotify playlist of songs that remind you of the trip, draw or paint one of your favourite trip memories, or have your holiday photographs printed on canvas. You can even turn your favourite snaps into coasters, fridge magnets, or a coffee mug to enjoy every day! 

Is there a cure for PTB?

There is only one known cure for PTB – go on another holiday! 

Dream big

Turn those post-travel blues into pre-travel anticipation! Start planning your next adventure, whether it’s a cruise, backpacking in Southeast Asia, or going to the Olympics. Once you’ve booked your next trip, get a travel insurance quote from Fast Cover. Repeat travellers can enjoy discounts on their travel insurance with us! 

Start saving

Nothing brings you back to reality like realising you’ve spent all your money travelling. Start saving again and think of every dollar you don’t spend as a dollar closer to your next trip. Imagine what you could do with $20 or $100 in your next destination of choice. 

Research your next trip

Saving and research go hand in hand! Start googling your dream holiday today and find travel hacks for your next adventure. Reading about other travellers’ experiences and itineraries is a great way to get inspired.  

Check out Fast Cover's travel guides for new ideas and sign up for our newsletter for regular inspiration and hot offers. 

FAQs

What are the symptoms of post-travel blues?

Symptoms can include daytime napping, craving buffet breakfasts, wearing loose harem pants, and starting conversations with travel stories. 

How can I ease back into normality after a trip?

Take a few days to rest before diving back into work, see friends, and tackle household chores gradually. 

Can I be a tourist in my own town?

Absolutely! Explore local restaurants, take day trips, visit museums, and enjoy walking trails in your area.

How can I keep my travel memories alive?

Cook dishes from your trip, decorate with travel themes, learn a new language, and create digital scrapbooks or playlists. 

Is there a cure for post-travel blues?

Yes, the best cure is to start planning your next trip! Dream big, start saving, and get inspired for your next adventure. 

Ready to kick those post-travel blues to the curb?

Start planning your next adventure with Fast Cover travel insurance by your side.

Check out our travel guides and travel tips and trends while you plan - we've packed many helpful hints about Travel Insurance, travel health and staying safe into our travel suitcase to help you have safe and happy travels.

Get a quote today and enjoy your future travels! 

Any advice is general only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which product is right for you.