Have you ever noticed that as soon as you embark on a long-awaited vacation, you suddenly find yourself battling with an unwelcome cold or flu? It turns out that there’s a scientific explanation behind this phenomenon. A health expert has shed light on the “let-down effect,” revealing why our bodies seem to succumb to illness the moment we take a break from our daily routines.
Why Do You Feel Ill on Vacation?
According to Dr. Suhail Hussain, a personal physician and GP, the let-down effect is more common than we might think. When our bodies are accustomed to functioning under high levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, sudden relaxation during a vacation can expose our immune system, making us susceptible to minor infections and excessive tiredness. Dr. Hussain explains that the release of stress hormones is linked to muscle tension, and when we let go, similar to releasing a tightly pulled rubber band, pain and muscle aches may increase.
How to Avoid This
To counter the let-down effect, Dr. Hussain suggests de-stressing gradually instead of experiencing a sudden crash and burn. Engaging in activities like light exercise or maintaining some level of physical activity while on vacation can prevent a drastic decrease in stress hormone levels. By allowing the body to acclimatize slowly, the impact of the let-down effect can be minimized. So, before packing your bags, consider scheduling some time for relaxation activities like binge-watching your favorite shows or participating in a calming yoga session.
If your body constantly shuts down soon after you go on vacation, it may indicate underlying chronic stress. Dr. Hussain emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of chronic stress, as it can lead to various health problems. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional, such as your GP, can help you manage daily stress more effectively and mitigate its adverse effects on your overall well-being.
Concussions Make up 20% of Injuries in English Rugby
According to a Rugby Football Union (RFU) study, concussions make up around 20% of all injuries that rugby players suffered in the English Premiership during the 2018-19 season. This means that concussions are the most common injuries for eight seasons in a row.
The Rate of Concussions per Season In Rugby Has Grown Significantly During the Past 20 Years
Back almost twenty years, during the 2002-03 season, only 42 concussions were recorded in the English Premiership, a number that has since gone up to 166 in the 2018-19 season. The statistics also show that since 2014-15, there have been over 100 concussions per season, with nearly 20% of the players sustaining at least one. To help with the problem, the medical staff has been given a more comprehensive real-time video system that will allow them to monitor the players and identify significant head injuries.
Improving the Detection of Concussions Is One of the Main Goals of the Medical Teams
By improving the rate at which complex injuries such as concussions are detected, the medical teams will be able to safely remove injured players. This priority has led to the development and evaluation of various strategies that are supposed to reduce concussions. The season showed a similar statistic in the 12-team league, where there was an average of two injuries per match. The RFU noted that injured players were sidelined for 34 days on average during the latest season, with concussions responsible for 22 days missed on average.
The long-term effects of concussions have been in the spotlight since former rugby players filed a class-action lawsuit against World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and the RFU. It alleges a failure of the governing bodies to protect payers from risks. Many of these players had been diagnosed with permanent brain damage, depression, early-onset dementia, or signs and symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
In the past, concussion-related concerns were raised and debated in the US as well, regarding the prevalence of the injury in American Football. Since then, the NFL has made many rule changes that aim to make the game safer and reduce the number of concussions players suffer each season.