Is Post-Golden Week Fatigue Caused by Sleep? 98% of People Feeling Unwell Also Experience Poor Sleep Quality

As the long holiday ends, the season of 'May sickness' arrives, with many struggling to switch back into work mode. While many people feel unmotivated or physically heavy, a 'decline in sleep quality' lurks in the background. Moon Moon Co., Ltd., which operates the sleep-aid review site 'Kaimin Land,' conducted a 'Survey on Post-Golden Week Discomfort and Sleep' among 200 employed individuals in their 20s to 50s nationwide who took two or more consecutive days off during Golden Week 2026. The results revealed a stark reality: a staggering 98.1% of those who felt unwell after the holiday also had some form of sleep-related issue.

Survey Background

While Golden Week is an ideal time to refresh mind and body after the tensions of the new fiscal year, it's also a time when life rhythms are easily disrupted by staying up late or sleeping in. It is thought that this disruption is a major factor causing the characteristic 'May sickness' symptoms of 'feeling vaguely unwell' after the holiday. This survey aimed to visualize the relationship between post-Golden Week physical and mental discomfort and sleep, and to find hints for modern people to return to society in good health.

Survey Summary

- Over half (53.0%) felt 'physical or mental discomfort' after the holiday. - 98.1% of those who felt unwell were aware of 'sleep problems.' - 43.5% shifted to a later life rhythm during the holiday. - The top specific sleep problem was 'shallow sleep, no feeling of deep rest' (16.7%). - About 30% (30.0%) of those feeling unwell experienced it continuously from the 'first day back after the holiday.' - The largest group (21.6%) consciously tried to 'go to bed and wake up at the same time as on weekdays' to improve their rhythm.

*When citing these survey results, please include the URL for 'Kaimin Land' (https://intiinti.com/goodsleep/).

Detailed Data

Q1: Did you feel any physical or mental discomfort after Golden Week? - Felt it somewhat: 47.0% - Didn't feel it much: 27.0% - Didn't feel it at all: 19.0% - Felt it strongly: 6.0% - Don't have a sense of 'post-GW' yet: 1.0% → 53.0% of the total are aware of some discomfort. One in two people feel the physical and mental heaviness after the holiday, showing that 'post-holiday adjustment' is a societal issue.

Q2: How did your life rhythm (bedtime/wake-up time) change during GW compared to weekdays? - Almost the same as weekdays: 44.0% - Both bedtime and wake-up time were slightly later (about 1-2 hours): 33.5% - Varied from day to day: 11.0% - Both bedtime and wake-up time were significantly later (2+ hours): 10.0% - Actually went to bed and woke up earlier: 1.5% → The 'later' group (total 43.5%) and the 'varied' group combined exceed half. This shows how free time during the holiday pushes back the circadian rhythm (body clock).

Q3: Did you feel any sleep-related discomfort after Golden Week? - Didn't feel any particular sleep discomfort: 17.3% - Shallow sleep, no feeling of deep rest: 16.7% - Trouble falling asleep at night: 15.3% - Still tired after sleeping: 12.6% - Can't shake off strong daytime sleepiness: 9.3% - Other: 28.8% (Can't wake up in the morning/extremely bad at waking up: 9.0%, Waking up many times during the night: 6.8%, Waking up too early in the morning: 6.3%, etc.) → Among those who felt unwell in Q1, 98.1% reported one or more of these sleep troubles. This suggests that the essence of May sickness may be less about a mental 'lack of motivation' and more about a physiological impairment of 'sleep quality.'

Q4: How long has the sleep discomfort you're feeling after GW been going on? - Not feeling any particular discomfort: 33.0% - Since the first day back after GW: 30.0% - From the 2nd or 3rd day after GW: 20.5% - Continuing since during GW: 13.0% - From the 4th day after GW or later: 3.5% → Many cases become apparent as soon as work resumes after the holiday, suggesting a failure to 'sync' from holiday relaxation mode to work mode.

Q5: Is there anything you are doing/want to do to regulate your sleep rhythm after GW? - Go to bed and wake up at the same time as on weekdays: 21.6% - Not doing/planning to do anything in particular: 12.7% - Get moderate exercise during the day: 12.4% - Eat a proper breakfast: 12.2% - Get morning sun at a fixed time: 10.0% - Other: 31.1% (Reduce smartphone use before bed: 8.0%, Regulate core body temperature with a bath: 7.0%, Refrain from caffeine/alcohol: 6.5%, etc.) → 'Fixed time' came out on top, showing an attitude of trying to regain regularity. On the other hand, there is also a segment that is 'not doing anything in particular.'