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Beating the "May Sickness": A Guide for Expats Navigating the Post-Golden Week Slump

Hello to all the expat residents in Japan! How are you holding up?

In Japan, we have a long holiday period known as "Golden Week." Depending on your workplace, if you take a few extra days off, it can turn into a spring vacation lasting up to two weeks.

However, after this long break, many people find themselves in a mental and physical slump known as "Gogatsubyo" (May Sickness). Today, I’d like to talk about what this is and how to manage it.

Unlike many Western countries where the new year starts in September, the Japanese fiscal and academic year begins in April. After a month of intense adjustment to a new environment, the tension often hits its peak. Then, during the long Golden Week holiday, that "tension breaks," making it easy for the mind and body to lose their balance. It’s that feeling of simply not wanting to go back to work or school.

I’ve heard that in the US, many students experience a similar slump around October, shortly after the new year starts in September. Perhaps this is just a universal part of being human—reacting to significant life transitions.

For foreigners working hard in Japan, this can be an especially pressing issue. Working and living in a different culture, away from your home country, naturally makes your nervous system more sensitive. It’s no wonder many people feel that they just can’t shake off their fatigue even after a long holiday.

In my experience as an acupuncturist, those who are most prone to "May Sickness" tend to be diligent, highly responsible, perfectionists, or those who are very considerate of others.

My advice is this: Lower the bar for yourself. Don’t strive for perfection right away. Start by allowing yourself to feel that "just showing up at the office" is a great accomplishment. Be kind and compassionate to yourself.

If you find that the fatigue persists, remember that traditional Japanese acupuncture can be a powerful tool to reset your nervous system and regain your energy. We are here to support you in your life in Japan!