Picture this: You book a dream vacation to unwind, but instead of feeling refreshed, you come back frazzled and drained. Is this the ultimate irony of modern travel? That's the unsettling truth hitting many travelers today, turning what should be blissful escapes into unexpected sources of stress. But here's where it gets controversial—some swear by a slow-and-steady approach, while others defend packing in every sight. Dive in as we unpack a viral social media moment that's ignited heated debates on how we all handle our precious time off.
For countless adventurers, vacations promise relaxation, but reality often delivers the opposite. Factors like the chaos of planning itineraries, the pressure to maximize every moment, and unforeseen hiccups on the road can transform paradise into a pressure cooker. Recently, a post from Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru, a Hyderabad-based physician, exploded across X (formerly Twitter), amassing hundreds of thousands of views and sparking fierce online conversations. Some viewers saw it as a simple call to chill out, while others argued it's all about personal perspective—and that's the part most people miss: travel isn't one-size-fits-all.
Dr. Sayammagaru shared her observations with a poignant tweet: 'People nowadays go on a holiday and come back tired!!! We go on a holiday and come back relaxed. I observed the difference.' She elaborated by drawing a clear line between two types of travelers. On one side, there's the leisurely crowd—like her own group—that embraces a more measured pace. 'We go on a holiday, and just visit that one place or perhaps a neighbouring place. We visit places in a leisure manner. We know we can't visit ALL the places. But wherever we are visiting, we enjoy. If we can't visit all the places, we are fine with it.' This approach focuses on savoring the present, accepting limitations, and letting joy emerge naturally, rather than forcing a checklist mentality.
In contrast, she highlights the 'rushed' travelers who treat vacations like a race against the clock. 'But we see others - they are in a rush, they want to visit everything, like ticking off items in their list. In this process, they are stressed. They aren't even enjoying the places that they are visiting currently; they are in a rush to move to the next place.' For beginners in travel planning, think of it like this: Imagine touring Paris but skipping café breaks to cram in the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles in one day—you might see the sights, but miss the magic of a leisurely stroll along the Seine or a spontaneous pastry tasting. This relentless drive can turn fun into fatigue, as the doctor's post questions, 'When holidays, which are meant to be relaxing, become stressful, what is the point in even going on a holiday?'
Her full tweet read like a manifesto for mindful travel:
People now-a-days go on a holiday and come back tired!!!
We go on a holiday and come back relaxed.
I observed the difference.
We go on a holiday, and just visit that one place or perhaps a neighboring place. We visit places in a leisure manner.
We know we can't visit ALL the…
— Sunita Sayammagaru 🇮🇳🇬🇧 (@drsunita02) November 3, 2025
For more tips on crafting the ideal holiday plan, check out this helpful guide: 7 Tips To Plan The Perfect Itinerary For Holidays (https://www.ndtv.com/travel/webstories/7-tips-to-plan-the-perfect-itinerary-for-holidays-36794).
And if you're gearing up for a flight, consider these gadgets to ease travel woes: Flying Soon? These 9 Travel Gadgets Will Save You From Travel Stress (https://www.ndtv.com/travel/flying-soon-these-9-travel-gadgets-will-save-you-from-travel-stress-9365888).
The post's comments section became a battleground of opinions, with many echoing the doctor's sentiments. They argued that exhaustion undermines the very purpose of a break—why bother if you're not recharging? Others, however, championed the packed itinerary, pointing out that not everyone has frequent travel opportunities, so squeezing in as much as possible makes sense. Here are some standout reactions, paraphrased for clarity:
One user speculated that the rush is fueled by social media: 'They do this to take photos and post it on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Twitter & many more. Their happiness does not come from holidays and leisure but from the dopamine rush they get from the social media attention.' It's a bold take—does the quest for likes overshadow real relaxation?
Another noted practical constraints: 'Maybe they are on a budget and hence want to finish max in that journey?' Budget travel can indeed push people to optimize every penny and hour.
A third defended it passionately: 'Not everyone has that luxury. I got Europe visa once and don't know when will I ever get. I want to check some tick boxes before I leave Europe. It's ok to plan as per your budget. Not everyone is rich to visit Eiffel Tower in one trip then do second trip to see Louvre museum.' This highlights the privilege factor—rare trips demand efficiency.
On the opposite side: 'I believe your way is the right way. Taking it slow and soaking in one or two places is how you truly connect and relax. That's how you make a trip memorable, not by checking boxes on a list.' Advocates for depth over breadth often cite deeper cultural immersion as the real reward.
A counterpoint emerged: 'It is a misnomer that travel is done just to relax! Travel is done to explore new places, food, culture.. see a little more, live a little more.. and, of course, that takes up energy in a good way.. It all depends on the purpose of the holiday.. you take it to relieve…' Some view travel as an energizing adventure, not just downtime.
Agreement flowed: 'This is absolutely true. Even we come back relaxed with a lighter head. Also its okay to miss visiting some places. Like you said, it is not possible to visit all places, and whatever one can visit, they must enjoy. Very apt and on point. We just came back from Kerala and felt…' Personal anecdotes reinforce the value of acceptance.
Finally, a twist: 'Your points and some comments are valid. But Holidays are in fact supposed to be stressful as we are roaming outside in sun, traveling, physical exertion etc. The problem is you no more have friends at office. Once you come back, there is not a day of respite. No one will even…' This suggests stress might be inherent, but post-vacation life adds insult to injury.
With over 298,000 views, the post underscores a broader societal shift. So, what's your take? Do you pack your vacations full or go with the flow? Is rushing worth the 'checklist' satisfaction, or does it rob you of true joy? And here's a controversial thought: Could the 'relaxed' approach be a luxury of time and money, while others hustle for their once-in-a-lifetime shots? Share your opinions in the comments—do you side with Dr. Sayammagaru, or defend the explorers? Let's discuss!
