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Labor Day stirs up a unique range of emotions. While some people love the prospect of crisp, cool air, football and fall fashions, others experience a stab of dread this time of year as vacations end, school starts up and pressures mount at the office.
'I really get into the joy of life on vacation and it always takes me awhile to get back into the joy of contract law,' says Helen Bender, a law professor in New York.
There are few studies or statistics on the end-of-summer malaise, but therapists, career coaches -- even marriage counselors -- report an increase in people seeking help in early fall. 'Change is always hard and this is a time when both nature and our lives are changing,' says Betsy Stone, a psychologist in Stamford, Conn.
A big component is what some researchers dub Post Vacation Syndrome (PVS), characterized by a combination of irritability, anxiety, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and a feeling of emptiness that lasts up to a few weeks after returning to work. Some people get a mild version every Sunday night after getting the weekend off. Surveys suggest that 35% to 75% of workers in Spain, where many businesses close for the month of August, suffer from PVS.
Several studies have found that vacations do lift peoples' spirits, but the effects don't last long. A study of 96 Dutch workers, published in the journal Work and Stress last year, found that health and well-being returned to prevacation levels during the first week back at work.
Some adults who get the summer off face Labor Day blues 'because they've had a taste of life outside of the hamster wheel,' says Farrah Parker, a corporate trainer in Los Angeles. 'They've done things they love and it reminds them of what is truly important in their lives. And when the fall comes, they feel like they are losing a part of themselves. I see it all the time, especially in high-profile industries with demanding schedules.'
Even the best jobs don't compare well to carefree days at the beach. But when dread of the workplace keeps up, it may be a sign a person is in the wrong job, experts say. Try to pinpoint the real source of unease, and don't make any rash changes during a post-vacation funk. Instead, wait a few weeks and see if the feelings subside.
Also be alert to whether the blues cross the line into depression and interfere with sleep, appetite or functioning, says Katherine Muller, assistant director of the Center for Integrative Psychotherapy in Allentown, Pa. When in doubt, seek professional help.
The transition back to work can be particularly demoralizing for people who make long to-do lists for the summer, don't accomplish them, and pile on even more pressure and self-criticism in the fall. 'You thought, 'The kids are at camp for six weeks, so this is my chance to write the book, lose 40 pounds, build a new wing and have a second honeymoon,'' says Jan Nolte, an executive speaking coach in New York.
She advises clients to celebrate what they did do, even small moments, like a night at the movies or the game of catch in the street. 'All of these are little successes and if you can take a moment to celebrate them, you can get your energy back for what's next,' Ms. Nolte says.
Many families are consumed by back-to-school frenzy this time of year. 'Generally, kids can't wait to go back to school. For parents, that means months of purchasing, planning, nagging, chauffeuring, chaperoning and negotiating,' says Emily Glickman, an educational consultant in New York who helps parents navigate private-school admissions.
Empty nesters may feel a stab of regret when September no longer brings such chaos. 'There's this funny disconnect when you start seeing school buses and the message is, that part of your life is over,' Dr. Stone says.
For some people, there is a physiological component to their funk. Although Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is typically associated with the darkest, shortest days of winter, the waning daylight is already reducing the availability from the sun of vitamin D, a building-block of serotonin, the neurotransmitter linked to depression. It is also advancing the onset of melatonin, a hormone that affects circadian rhythms. The upshot: possible daytime sleepiness, lethargy and depression. An estimated 6% of the U.S. population suffers from SAD. The incidence rises with the distance from the equator.
There is no specific test for SAD, but for people who think they are susceptible, experts suggest sitting near a specialized lamp with a very bright fluorescent (10,000 lux) for about 30 minutes a day for two to four weeks. The sessions should be done in the morning, because light therapy in late afternoon or evening may lead to insomnia. Some studies have also found that getting sufficient vitamin D, B-12 and omega 3 fatty acids may help boost mood, but more research is needed.
Other advice for getting through the end-of-summer blues includes getting fit. A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that depressed patients who added a daily exercise regime to antidepressants were more likely to see their symptoms lift than those who didn't. Exercising outdoors, particularly in the morning, can boost both vitamin D and melatonin.
Some people find buying something new particularly tempting this time of year. But be wary of overdoing it. 'Retail therapy is a slippery slope,' says Barbara Neitlich, a Beverly Hills, Calif., psychotherapist.
Ms. Nolte, the speaking coach, advises clients to try to identify what they're longing for this time of year. If it's the joy of learning something new, try taking a class. If it is the loss of freedom and downtime, try scheduling in some three- and four-day weekends.
Says Ms. Parker, the corporate trainer: 'If you can take little vacations throughout the year, it's less of a shock when vacation is over.'
參考譯文：
長假容易引發別樣情緒。就在一些人為即將到來的涼爽空氣、新橄欖球賽季和秋季時裝而歡欣鼓舞時，另外一些人卻在每年這個時候，隨著假期結束、學校開學及辦公室壓力的加大而被忽然而至的恐懼感籠罩。
紐約州的法學教授海倫•本德(Helen Bender)說：“我真喜歡在假期時享受生活樂趣，總是要花些時間才能重新對合同法提起興趣。”。
對於這種夏季末不適症，目前鮮有研究或是統計數據。不過心理醫師、職業谘詢專家、甚至婚姻顧問都發現，在初秋時節上門尋求幫助的人數有所增加。“改變總是很難，更何況在這個時節，自然界和我們的生活都在變化，”康涅狄格州斯坦福德市(Stamford)的一位心理學家貝齊•斯通(Betsy Stone)表示。
節後綜合症(Post Vacation Syndrome, 簡稱：PVS)是導致這一現象的很大一個原因。其症狀包括易怒、焦慮、缺乏動力、精jing力li難nan以yi集ji中zhong以yi及ji感gan到dao空kong虛xu等deng。這zhe些xie症zheng狀zhuang在zai人ren們men回hui去qu工gong作zuo後hou最zui長chang可ke能neng持chi續xu幾ji周zhou的de時shi間jian。一yi些xie人ren在zai周zhou末mo即ji將jiang結jie束shu的de周zhou日ri晚wan上shang也ye會hui患huan上shang輕qing微wei的de節jie後hou綜zong合he症zheng。一yi項xiang調tiao查zha顯xian示shi，西xi班ban牙ya有you35%到75%的上班族都患有節後綜合症。當地的許多企業每年8月份都會關門放假。
一些研究發現，假日的確能夠振奮精神，不過這種效果持續不了多久。去年刊登在《工作與壓力》(Work and Stress)雜誌上的一項針對96名荷蘭上班族的研究顯示，假期後的第一周，人的身體狀況和精神狀態就恢複到了假前的水平。
洛杉磯一位企業培訓師法拉赫•帕克(Farrah Parker)稱，一些在夏季休過假的成年人之所以會在勞工節後感到抑鬱是因為他們嚐過了倉鼠轉輪般枯燥日子以外的生活的滋味。“他(ta)們(men)做(zuo)了(le)他(ta)們(men)鍾(zhong)愛(ai)的(de)事(shi)情(qing)，而(er)這(zhe)讓(rang)他(ta)們(men)想(xiang)起(qi)什(shen)麼(me)東(dong)西(xi)才(cai)是(shi)他(ta)們(men)生(sheng)命(ming)中(zhong)最(zui)重(zhong)要(yao)的(de)。當(dang)秋(qiu)季(ji)來(lai)臨(lin)，他(ta)們(men)感(gan)覺(jiao)即(ji)將(jiang)失(shi)去(qu)一(yi)部(bu)分(fen)自(zi)我(wo)。我(wo)經(jing)常(chang)看(kan)到(dao)這(zhe)種(zhong)情(qing)況(kuang)，特(te)別(bie)是(shi)在(zai)那(na)些(xie)工(gong)作(zuo)節(jie)奏(zou)緊(jin)張(zhang)、受人矚目的行業裏。”
即(ji)便(bian)是(shi)最(zui)好(hao)的(de)工(gong)作(zuo)，也(ye)無(wu)法(fa)在(zai)和(he)海(hai)灘(tan)上(shang)度(du)過(guo)的(de)那(na)些(xie)無(wu)拘(ju)無(wu)束(shu)的(de)日(ri)子(zi)相(xiang)提(ti)並(bing)論(lun)。不(bu)過(guo)，專(zhuan)家(jia)們(men)表(biao)示(shi)，如(ru)果(guo)工(gong)作(zuo)中(zhong)的(de)恐(kong)懼(ju)感(gan)持(chi)續(xu)隻(zhi)增(zeng)不(bu)減(jian)，則(ze)可(ke)能(neng)說(shuo)明(ming)這(zhe)個(ge)人(ren)大(da)概(gai)入(ru)錯(cuo)行(xing)了(le)。想(xiang)辦(ban)法(fa)找(zhao)出(chu)不(bu)安(an)感(gan)背(bei)後(hou)的(de)真(zhen)正(zheng)原(yuan)因(yin)，不(bu)要(yao)急(ji)著(zhe)在(zai)假(jia)日(ri)後(hou)的(de)恐(kong)懼(ju)中(zhong)做(zuo)出(chu)任(ren)何(he)倉(cang)促(cu)的(de)改(gai)變(bian)，等(deng)幾(ji)周(zhou)看(kan)看(kan)這(zhe)感(gan)覺(jiao)會(hui)不(bu)會(hui)消(xiao)失(shi)。
賓夕法尼亞州艾倫敦(Allentown)綜合心理治療中心(Center for Integrative Psychotherapy)的副主任凱瑟琳•馬勒(Katherine Muller)稱，人們還要當心這種不安的感覺是否發展成抑鬱症並影響睡眠、食欲或是身體機能。如果拿不準，要向專業人士尋求幫助。
回(hui)來(lai)上(shang)班(ban)對(dui)於(yu)那(na)些(xie)製(zhi)訂(ding)了(le)長(chang)長(chang)的(de)暑(shu)期(qi)計(ji)劃(hua)而(er)無(wu)法(fa)完(wan)成(cheng)的(de)人(ren)來(lai)說(shuo)，可(ke)能(neng)尤(you)其(qi)令(ling)人(ren)沮(ju)喪(sang)。計(ji)劃(hua)未(wei)完(wan)成(cheng)，進(jin)一(yi)步(bu)增(zeng)加(jia)了(le)秋(qiu)日(ri)裏(li)的(de)負(fu)擔(dan)和(he)自(zi)責(ze)感(gan)。紐(niu)約(yue)的(de)高(gao)管(guan)演(yan)講(jiang)教(jiao)練(lian)簡(jian)•諾爾蒂(Jan Nolte)說：“你曾這樣想，‘孩子們要去夏令營6周，所以這是我寫本書、減掉40磅、建一間新的側廳或是再來一次蜜月的機會，’”
假期結束會讓很多人感到不安，嚴重的甚至會出現抑鬱症狀。
她建議客戶去欣賞自己已經做的事情，甚至那些微不足道的瞬間，比如在電影院度過的夜晚或是在街道上玩的捉人遊戲。諾爾蒂說：“所有這些都是小成就，而如果你能花些時間來欣賞它們，那麼你就能夠積攢足夠的精力來做下麵的事情了。”
許多家庭每年這個時候都會被返校的忙亂搞得筋疲力盡。紐約的一位教育顧問艾米莉•格利克曼(Emily Glickman)說：“通常來說，孩子們已經等不及要回學校了，但對家長來說，這卻意味著要用幾個月的時間去采購、安排、嘮叨、當司機、做陪護和談判。”。格利克曼的工作是幫助家長們獲得私立學校的入學許可。
對於那些孩子已經長大離家的空巢家庭而言，家長們可能會感到一陣遺憾，因為9月份對他們來說不再那樣忙亂了。斯通博士說：“你開始看到校車在街上來來往往，但卻與你沒有關係，這種感覺會有些古怪，它所傳遞的信息是，你生活中的一部分已經結束了。”
對某些人來說，夏末恐懼還有生理方麵的原因。通常來說，季節性情感障礙症(Seasonal Affective Disorder, 簡稱：SAD)常與冬季裏陰霾且最缺少陽光照射的那些日子聯係在一起。不過夏末隨著白天時間變短，接受陽光照射並在人體內合成維生素D的機會也減少了，而維生素D是血液中複合胺──某種與抑鬱症相關的神經傳遞素──的基本構成成分。這還會導致褪黑素(melatonin)生成的時間提前，而褪黑素則會影響人體生理節律。其結果就是：白天可能出現困倦、乏力和抑鬱的現象。據估計，美國大約有6%的人受到季節性情感障礙症困擾。距離赤道越遠的地區，居民患病的可能性越大。
目mu前qian沒mei有you專zhuan門men的de試shi驗yan對dui於yu季ji節jie性xing情qing感gan障zhang礙ai症zheng進jin行xing過guo測ce試shi研yan究jiu。不bu過guo對dui於yu那na些xie認ren為wei自zi己ji可ke能neng易yi患huan此ci疾ji病bing的de人ren，專zhuan家jia建jian議yi可ke以yi每mei天tian在zai一yi種zhong十shi分fen明ming亮liang的de特te製zhi熒ying光guang燈deng（照度為1萬勒克斯）下坐大約30分鍾，並堅持2到4周的時間。治療最好在上午進行，因為傍晚或晚間進行光照治療有可能導致失眠。還有些研究發現，攝入充足的維生素D、B-12和 ω-3脂肪酸可能有助於振奮情緒，不過這方麵還需要更多的研究。
健身也有助於克服夏末憂鬱感。近期發表在《臨床精神病學雜誌》(Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)上的一項研究顯示，抑鬱症患者若在服用抗抑鬱藥之外每天進行運動，其抑鬱症狀減輕的可能性則要高於那些不鍛煉的患者。戶外運動──特別是在上午──能夠提高體內維生素D和褪黑素的水平。
有些人會發現，每年這個時候購物對他們而言尤其有吸引力。不過小心，不要購物成癮。加利福尼亞州貝弗利山莊(Beverly Hills)一位心理醫生芭芭拉•納裏奇(Barbara Neitlich)稱，購物療法是個危險的陷阱。
紐(niu)約(yue)高(gao)管(guan)演(yan)講(jiang)教(jiao)練(lian)諾(nuo)爾(er)蒂(di)建(jian)議(yi)她(ta)的(de)客(ke)戶(hu)盡(jin)量(liang)在(zai)每(mei)年(nian)這(zhe)個(ge)時(shi)候(hou)了(le)解(jie)自(zi)己(ji)最(zui)渴(ke)望(wang)什(shen)麼(me)。如(ru)果(guo)是(shi)學(xue)習(xi)新(xin)知(zhi)識(shi)的(de)樂(le)趣(qu)，那(na)麼(me)試(shi)著(zhe)參(can)加(jia)一(yi)門(men)課(ke)。如(ru)果(guo)缺(que)乏(fa)自(zi)由(you)和(he)休(xiu)假(jia)讓(rang)他(ta)們(men)不(bu)舒(shu)服(fu)，那(na)麼(me)嚐(chang)試(shi)安(an)排(pai)幾(ji)個(ge)3到4天的長周末。
企業培訓師帕克說：“如果你能一年到頭都基本上不休假，那麼假期結束帶來的衝擊就沒那麼大了。”
