Why do people not get sick when they are extremely busy but fall sick the moment they rest? Is there some scientific explanation to this?

“Every time she comes back from a holiday, she will be taking medical leave,” I complained about one of my colleague to my friends.

This happened to me after my short family getaway. It started with an ear-ache on the first day and then escalated to my nose and throat. By the end of the four day holiday, I was popping OTC medication just to appear normal.

It is rare for me to insist on visiting the GP late at night after I arrived back home. I can normally wait so I don’t waste the one day MC, but the insides of my ear is painful. My nose is blocked. My throat is dry and my eyes are burning.

“Yup, you definitely need antibiotics,” said the GP.

I was drowsy from the medication and it is not allowing me to get up to get any other work done. Bed that is.

To think I actually felt guilty about calling in sick straight after my holiday. This particular colleague decided to work from home on the same days because she is having the sniffles.

Work will still be there. Team is still functioning. Company will not collapse.

It is fine to rest. JUST REST.

Rest should be normalised and there is no need to feel guilty about it.

I judge and I feel frustrated because I may not call in sick for having the sniffles but I cannot expect others not too.

Nobody can take care of our health except ourselves and maybe young people nowadays know how to take care of themselves better. I should learn to rest.