Data from ready meal delivery service Youfoodz suggests 43% of Australians are finding it difficult to bounce back after time off, while nearly a third say they feel overwhelmed, stressed or burnt out when they would expect to feel refreshed.
The brand has labelled this post-holiday slump PHAARC, short for Post-Holiday Acute Aggravated Rebound Condition, to describe the mix of fatigue, low motivation and mental fog many are experiencing.
Common symptoms reported include low energy levels, poor concentration, mental fog, disrupted sleep patterns, and missed alarms. For many, the shift back into routine is proving more jarring than expected after an extended break.
Impact on diet
One of the first habits to fall away is diet. More than four in ten Australians say their eating routine is the last thing to recover after a holiday, with decision fatigue playing a major role.
Almost 20% admit they are turning to takeaway more often, while more than half say they are buying lunch every few days or more instead of bringing food from home.
Lunch, in particular, has become a daily pressure point, with one in five Australians reporting ongoing stress around deciding what to eat or forgetting lunch altogether during the workday.
In response to these patterns, Youfoodz has partnered with psychiatrist Dr Kieran Kennedy to develop a PHAARC Recovery Guide focused on easing the transition back into routine.
“After time off, the brain doesn’t love being thrown straight back into routines, deadlines and decision-making,” says Dr Kennedy.
“Getting back into work or study can feel overwhelming, so it helps to ease in gradually, take regular breaks, move your body, prioritise sleep, and structure your day to reduce decision fatigue. And of course, fuel yourself with regular, healthy meals to keep energy, focus, and mood steady.
The company has also released three new meal bundles positioned around common return-to-work needs, including options designed to help reset routines, lift mood and simplify weekday lunches.
Kiara Hardy, Product Developer and Nutritionist at Youfoodz, says: “When you’ve got PHAARC, even choosing what to eat can feel like a full-time job. We wanted to take one everyday decision off Aussies’ plates so they can focus on getting back into the swing of work, school and uni.”
While PHAARC is a branded term rather than a medical diagnosis, the behaviours behind it are familiar. As Australians ease back into work, everyday choices like what to eat for lunch are emerging as a quiet but persistent source of post-holiday stress.
Source: We Are Different
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