It was already the second workday after the Lunar New Year holiday, yet the "Q1/2026 Growth Strategy" document on his desk remained untouched in a corner. The whirring printer, the ticking clock, and the boss's discussions in the hall only deepened his fatigue. Every 5 minutes, Thanh instinctively picked up his phone to review photos from his class reunion and spring outings, then sighed and put it back down.

Similarly, Thuy, 25 years old, an insurance consultant living in Vinh Yen ward but working in Viet Tri ward, Phu Tho, 30 km from home, also struggled. Once known for her iron discipline—always waking at 5:30 am to prepare for her 7:30 am start—she found herself completely losing control of her schedule.

"I cannot wake up on time, even when I force myself to sleep early. As a result, every morning is a rush; I don't have time to eat or get ready," she said. More seriously, this disruption led to a decline in her work performance. She frequently felt drowsy, lacked alertness, and could not focus on tasks during the first two days back at the office.

At her desk, Thuy always keeps a package of snacks and plays music to avoid drowsiness and fatigue. Photo: Provided by interviewee

Thanh and Thuy exemplify a common psychological phenomenon experts call "post-vacation blues" or an adjustment reaction. Doctor Nguyen Viet Chung, Head of the Mental Health Department at E Hospital, reported that the number of patients seeking treatment for psychological issues such as sleep disorders, anxiety, sadness, and loss of energy typically surges by 15-30% immediately after the Tet holiday.

"Individuals working in high-pressure environments or living far from their families are the most vulnerable," Doctor Chung stated, adding that common clinical signs include persistent low mood, loss of interest, feelings of guilt over unaccomplished tasks, and even pessimistic thoughts about the future.

Jeroen Nawijn, a psychologist at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, explains this phenomenon by noting that people experience peak happiness during holidays due to a sense of absolute freedom. When the holiday ends, this freedom disappears, leading to a sudden drop in happiness hormones. Suzanne Degges-White, Chair of the Counseling Department at Northern Illinois University in the US, concurs, analyzing that a psychological shock occurs when we return to a routine of accountability, reports, and mounting deadlines. The stark contrast between freedom and responsibility creates a void that the brain struggles to fill.

From a biological perspective, master's degree holder Cao Tran Thanh Trung, Director of Lumos Psychological Counseling and Therapy Center, points to the core cause as a disruption in the body's circadian rhythm. The Tet holiday, with its late nights, constant travel, and a diet rich in protein and sugar, upsets the stable sleep-wake cycle. Upon returning to the office routine, the body enters a state of "social jet lag," leading to fatigue and a lack of energy.

Furthermore, the psychological tendency to invest high expectations in Tet as a "grand reward" leaves the brain without an anchor of excitement once the festivities conclude, causing a feeling of emptiness. According to the psychology website Verywell Mind, this sadness could also signal Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which often emerges during gloomy transitional seasons, exacerbating a lack of motivation.

While this state typically lasts only a few days, if left unmanaged, it can lead to consequences such as substance abuse or the recurrence of underlying mental disorders. To overcome this inertia, experts advise against immediately "speeding up." Instead, a "soft landing" strategy is necessary: readjusting the biological clock by sleeping before 11 pm, engaging in light exercise, and detoxifying the body with a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates.

More important is a shift in work management mindset. Doctor Chung emphasized that the goal is not immediate relief from fatigue, but a return to a sustainable pace. Applying this strategy, Thanh decided to break down his goals. Instead of struggling with a 20-page plan, he focused on the three most important tasks and tidied his desk. A new year's greeting call to a client helped him rediscover a positive current through laughter.

For Thuy, she accepted this sluggishness as a necessary "psychological break," a stepping stone for her body to transition from relaxation to focus, rather than blaming herself.

Thuy An