'Came back tired from a holiday?' Doctor explains why your vacation isn’t really relaxing anymore

Ever returned from a vacation feeling more drained than refreshed? You’re not alone. Doctor Sunita Sayammagaru sparked a lively conversation online after pointing out how modern travel has lost its purpose — rest. In her viral X post, she shared that while holidays are meant to rejuvenate, most people now treat them like a to-do list, rushing from one attraction to another instead of actually enjoying the experience.

Dr Sayammagaru explained that she and her family travel differently. They pick one destination — maybe explore a nearby spot or two — and take their time soaking it all in. “We know we can’t see everything, and that’s okay,” she said. By slowing down, they return home relaxed, not exhausted.

What she’s observed in others, though, is the opposite. Many travellers try to cram every “must-see” into their itinerary, turning their getaway into a race. Instead of being present, they’re constantly worrying about the next stop. The result? A holiday that feels more like work. Her post struck a chord with readers who admitted they often come back from vacations needing another break. And her question hit home: When a trip meant to relax you starts stressing you out, is it really a holiday anymore?




Raj Kunkolienkar, a BITS Pilani graduate, echoed the same sentiment in his viral post, admitting that his idea of a “perfect vacation” had completely changed. After years of chasing packed itineraries and rushing through new cities, he finally spent four days at an island resort doing nothing — no sightseeing, no checklists, just reading, napping, and staring at the sea.

He wrote that growing up middle-class made him feel every minute of a trip had to be “maximized.” But now, he sees rest as luxury — not laziness. “The real expense isn’t the hotel room,” he shared. “It’s the years spent believing we must justify every moment of rest with productivity.”