Why do people get sick on vacation?

Have you ever noticed that you often get sick right when you take time off from work or school?

This is sometimes called 'leisure sickness.'

Some people feel tired, get headaches, or catch a cold just when they're ready to relax.

Researchers have studied this and found that about 3% of people experience it.

One reason might be that when we're busy, our bodies are too distracted to notice small signs of sickness.

But when we relax, those symptoms become more obvious.

Another reason could be that traveling or drinking more alcohol can make us more likely to get sick.

To stay healthy, it's important to exercise regularly, manage stress, and take precautions like getting vaccinated and wearing masks when traveling.