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Started By
Message
How to avoid getting sick when on PTO?
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:04 pm
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:04 pm
Since I entered my mid to late 20s, I have developed an unfortunate tendency to get sick every time I take PTO, and I mean literally every time it’s longer than a 3 day weekend. I think I’m 6 for 6 over the last two years.
The first inclination is to say it’s because I’m traveling, but I travel for work about 75 to 100 nights a year and don’t have a problem. Also, this isn’t just a long vacation issue. It can be just driving 2 hours to my parents’ house and getting sick there.
Does anyone else have this issue? It’s like within 3 days of taking off my immune system takes off as well. Any tips for combating this?
The first inclination is to say it’s because I’m traveling, but I travel for work about 75 to 100 nights a year and don’t have a problem. Also, this isn’t just a long vacation issue. It can be just driving 2 hours to my parents’ house and getting sick there.
Does anyone else have this issue? It’s like within 3 days of taking off my immune system takes off as well. Any tips for combating this?
This post was edited on 9/17/25 at 2:05 pm
14
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:15 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Are you stressing out before PTO? As in, are you finishing something that is very time consuming and stressful and then taking PTO?
Posted on 9/17/25 at 2:46 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Everyone's bodies are different, but do you take multivitamins every day? Good habit, for sure. Other than that, I do try drinking a cup of Green Tea in the AM and Chamomile Tea before bed... Somehow even after drinking 
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:03 pm to TomRollTideRitter
It's probably just delayed onset of sickness. You're around thousands of people in the airports on Mondays and Thursday, it makes sense you'd start feeling ill a few days later.
Posted on 9/17/25 at 4:08 pm to TomRollTideRitter
I'm close to a "Million Miler" on Delta after years of business travel.
My $.02:
Could be "mental". What you're describing is a real and surprisingly common phenomenon called the “Let-Down Effect.” It’s the body’s way of reacting to a sudden drop in stress after sustained periods of high alert. And yes, it can absolutely trigger illness right when you’re supposed to be relaxing.
Before PTO, hydrate, get extra sleep, and take immune boosters like zinc and vitamin C. Try to reduce stress gradually, do light work, move gently, and skip alcohol or heavy meals for two days. When traveling, consider a mask in crowds, sanitize surfaces, and use earplugs and melatonin for sleep. After PTO, avoid big meetings and ease back into your routine to recover smoothly.
True story prior to my recent cruise:
Took Zicam daily. Plenty of sleep, water, exercise to build the immune system. Avoided sick people prior to the trip. I just stayed home for a week. Too much time in planning and cost to risk missing the trip for a week of inconvenience. Made it ok! Got Covid on the day I returned (plane, or bus rides?). Who knows. Negative now and it wasn't too bad. And I'm retired so I have the time and ability to do things others might not be able to, so there's that!
My $.02:
Could be "mental". What you're describing is a real and surprisingly common phenomenon called the “Let-Down Effect.” It’s the body’s way of reacting to a sudden drop in stress after sustained periods of high alert. And yes, it can absolutely trigger illness right when you’re supposed to be relaxing.
Before PTO, hydrate, get extra sleep, and take immune boosters like zinc and vitamin C. Try to reduce stress gradually, do light work, move gently, and skip alcohol or heavy meals for two days. When traveling, consider a mask in crowds, sanitize surfaces, and use earplugs and melatonin for sleep. After PTO, avoid big meetings and ease back into your routine to recover smoothly.
True story prior to my recent cruise:
Took Zicam daily. Plenty of sleep, water, exercise to build the immune system. Avoided sick people prior to the trip. I just stayed home for a week. Too much time in planning and cost to risk missing the trip for a week of inconvenience. Made it ok! Got Covid on the day I returned (plane, or bus rides?). Who knows. Negative now and it wasn't too bad. And I'm retired so I have the time and ability to do things others might not be able to, so there's that!
This post was edited on 9/17/25 at 4:10 pm
Posted on 9/18/25 at 4:02 am to TomRollTideRitter
Wash your hands a lot and well when traveling.
Extra vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium.
Extra vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 10:27 am to Nole Man
quote:Is this "let down effect" associated with the fact that 4 hours before I go on vacation, co-workers start sending work to do that has been sitting on their desk for 6 weeks? It seems to happens almost every single time.
What you're describing is a real and surprisingly common phenomenon called the “Let-Down Effect.”
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:59 am to TomRollTideRitter
Damn, I have heard about people that love their jobs, but you may be taking it to the extreme.
Some good replies already in this thread, but I would add go get your annual physical and discuss this with your Dr. Have them do a full workup on your blood tests and see if you may be deficient on anything.
Some good replies already in this thread, but I would add go get your annual physical and discuss this with your Dr. Have them do a full workup on your blood tests and see if you may be deficient on anything.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 5:09 pm to Crow Pie
Is this "let down effect" associated with the fact that 4 hours before I go on vacation, co-workers start sending work to do that has been sitting on their desk for 6 weeks? It seems to happens almost every single time.
LOL! Some Pavolivan Conditioning needs to happen with those fools.
Seriously:
Sounds like they've been conditioned to dump on you and you need to set some realistic boundaries, like:
Establish boundaries in advance: Notify stakeholders with a “final call” message 48 hours prior to commencing PTO.
Schedule a transition period: Reserve the final two hours before departure exclusively for wrap-up activities.
Initiate gradual recovery: Maintain a light but organized routine on the first day of vacation—incorporate brief walks, ensure proper hydration, and avoid checking emails.
I used to put my upcoming PTO schedule in bold red letters at the bottom of my email signature and Teams profile a week before I left. And told them won't be available by phone or email (did give it to my boss in case of emergency).
LOL! Some Pavolivan Conditioning needs to happen with those fools.
Seriously:
Sounds like they've been conditioned to dump on you and you need to set some realistic boundaries, like:
Establish boundaries in advance: Notify stakeholders with a “final call” message 48 hours prior to commencing PTO.
Schedule a transition period: Reserve the final two hours before departure exclusively for wrap-up activities.
Initiate gradual recovery: Maintain a light but organized routine on the first day of vacation—incorporate brief walks, ensure proper hydration, and avoid checking emails.
I used to put my upcoming PTO schedule in bold red letters at the bottom of my email signature and Teams profile a week before I left. And told them won't be available by phone or email (did give it to my boss in case of emergency).
Posted on 9/19/25 at 6:38 am to TomRollTideRitter
Do you drink more alcohol when on PTO?
Posted on 9/19/25 at 6:54 am to TomRollTideRitter
I always pack some of those Emergen-C drink mix packs with me whenever I travel out of town. I swear by them. Anytime I start feeling out of normal I mix up two in some water.
Posted on 9/19/25 at 7:55 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Working in restaurants I get exposed to a lot of germs. Vitamin D/K3 drops were a game change for me. If I feel something coming on I usually have a scratch throat or stuffy nose. I break out the netti pot and gargle with mouthwash. I hardly ever get really ill now
Posted on 9/22/25 at 7:23 am to TomRollTideRitter
Stress before taking vacation.
This post was edited on 9/22/25 at 2:28 pm
Posted on 9/22/25 at 5:39 pm to TomRollTideRitter
How to avoid getting sick when on PTO?[/quote]
Brown liquor
Brown liquor
This post was edited on 9/22/25 at 5:40 pm
Posted on 9/23/25 at 12:06 pm to TomRollTideRitter
quote:I still think your problem is largely one of randomness. But if you want to do something quasi-supported by science, then start taking NAC before and during.
How to avoid getting sick when on PTO?
Posted on 9/23/25 at 12:09 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Take zinc. It inhibits viral reproduction so your immune system gets a head start.
Posted on 9/23/25 at 12:50 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Wash your hands frequently, bring vitamin C gummies and multivitamins, get your vaccines
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