Cooped up in homes for months, WFH fatigue-hit go on staycation

In August, Priya* took a four-day vacation at her home in Tiruvanmiyur. “Throughout the lockdown, work had been very hectic. I didn’t do anything particular to make it feel like a vacation. It was more of a way to get away from the stress of work, and the WhatsApp groups, and emails. It was four days of absolute silence and battery recharge,” she said.

After so many months of the shutdown, the work from home lifestyle had taken its toll on her, she says. Winding down from work was now more difficult, and this had built up over the months. For others, being cooped up in the home environment for so many months had left emotional fatigue.

To cope with this fatigue, Rohini Mohan, a choreographer, decided to spend a weekend at a local hotel with her spouse.

“It felt great because I didn’t have to worry about anything. Someone else was taking care of food and cleaning, and I got to spend several days just being pampered. While certain facilities like the swimming pool were closed for safety reasons, we did play some table tennis and carrom. But we spent a lot of time together, and it felt very relaxing,” she said.

More than a vacation, locals would call this trend a break from life during the lockdown. Mohan speculates that the trend will increase in the upcoming holiday season, with people opting to drive down to places like Mahabalipuram for a small getaway.

Although taken in unique circumstances, these vacations are well worth it, they say. “It took me two days for the vacation to sink in. Coming back to work felt better, and even though it didn’t feel like a typical vacation, by the time it ended, I was feeling very relaxed and was enjoying myself,” said Priya.

* name changed on request