[Sunday Culture] "More exhausted after Golden Week break"... 'May Disease' Outbreak

Stress Accumulated from New Semester and Personnel Changes
Lethargy and Boredom... Specialist Help Needed in Severe Cases

"I feel like I rested well, but somehow I just don't want to work more."

The golden holiday in May has passed, and it's time to return to daily life. Some of you may have rested well, recharged your energy, and returned to work, but others might feel even more lethargic despite having rested.

These symptoms should not be simply dismissed as the common chronic ailment of office workers, the "I don't want to go to work" syndrome. In Japan, there is a term called "Gogatsu-byo" (May sickness) that refers to lethargy experienced after the Golden Week in May. This year as well, psychological counseling related to Gogatsu-byo surged after Golden Week ended, and Japanese media covered this topic extensively. How should we endure the daily life that feels especially heavy after the holidays? Let's explore this through Japan's Gogatsu-byo.

Japan's Gogatsu-byo... Lethargy and Apathy After the Holidays

Gogatsu-byo literally means lethargy symptoms that appear in May. Although it is not an official medical term, it is a name given because many people complain of such symptoms after the May Golden Week holiday.

This is because in Japan, the start of the year for school, admission, employment, and department transfers all happen in April. The stress accumulated while adapting to the new environment in April is released during the Golden Week holiday in May, causing symptoms to manifest physically and mentally. It is a point when the things one has been pushing through unknowingly start to surface.

The symptoms vary. They include ▲feeling down or heavy and lethargic ▲difficulty staying calm due to vague anxiety ▲being unable to do tasks that were previously easy ▲losing interest in hobbies once enjoyed ▲unexplained stomachaches or headaches ▲loss of appetite ▲difficulty sleeping or waking up soon after falling asleep.

Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have shown a notable increase in Gogatsu-byo patients. This is because social life, which was conducted remotely through telecommuting and online classes during COVID-19, has shifted back to face-to-face formats. Many people find it difficult to adapt to this change.

The streets of Myeongdong in Seoul have been bustling with tourists and citizens for three days as the golden holidays of neighboring countries, such as Japan's Golden Week and China's Labor Day, continue. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated the period from the 26th of last month to the 6th of this month as the "2019 Foreign Tourist Hospitality Week" and is holding large-scale hospitality events to attract tourists from China and Japan. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

People More Prone to Gogatsu-byo

Japanese doctors say there are certain types of people who are particularly susceptible to Gogatsu-byo. The first type is the "bulldozer type" who just push through tasks in front of them. They are passionate and diligent, but when things don't go their way, they experience a strong sense of self-deprecation.

The second type is people who have high expectations or ideals about new environments. When there is a big gap between reality and their ideals, they tend to suffer and feel tense and anxious trying to quickly bridge the difference.

The third type is those who think in black-and-white or dichotomous terms. These people dislike indecisiveness and prefer clear decisions. They feel stress not only in "black" states such as failure, defeat, or mistakes but also view "gray" states?where success is not perfect?as insufficient, constantly pushing themselves. Not enjoying the process of reaching the "white" state of perfect success places a heavy burden on their body and mind.

Also, people sensitive to changes in place or atmosphere are prone to Gogatsu-byo. While this type has the advantage of easily noticing others' facial expressions or mood changes, they tend to be overly concerned about others, which causes stress.

How to Prevent Gogatsu-byo

So, are there ways to prevent and treat Gogatsu-byo? Japanese psychological counselors advised in an interview with an online media outlet to "do something that allows you to feel one happiness for every stress you experience." Reducing stress as it occurs can lighten the weight on your mind.

And although it sounds obvious, the most important thing is maintaining a regular lifestyle and sleep schedule. There is a saying that the weight of the mind is connected to the weight of the body, so they recommend light exercise to reduce autonomic nervous system confusion.

Lastly, when apathy hits and you think "I don't even want to meet people," it is necessary to talk with close people who can understand your feelings.

Gogatsu-byo may be a temporary symptom, but if severe symptoms are left untreated, it can lead to depression, adjustment disorders, or sleep disorders. If symptoms persist after May, it is advisable to seek counseling or psychiatric treatment.

Today, we introduced Japan's Gogatsu-byo. In fact, this seems to be a story that applies not only to Japan but to all office workers returning from holidays. If you felt, "Is this my story?" while reading, it might be time to check your own condition.

Thinking about it, while rushing busily, there is hardly any time to check on my own feelings. Pushed by thoughts like "I have to do well," "I have to adapt quickly," and "I have to produce results," I wonder if I have ever truly looked after myself. It is only after becoming seriously ill that I realize I have been neglecting myself too much. Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend.