Post-Golden Week: Approximately 40% Feel Unwell; While About 70% Recognize the Importance of Diet, 45% Take 'No Specific Measures' [2026 Survey]

Wellness Dining Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tetsuhiro Nakamoto) conducted a survey on "Physical Condition After Golden Week" targeting 300 men and women nationwide.

The results showed that 45.3% of respondents reported "feeling unwell" after Golden Week (14.0% "strongly feel it every year," 31.3% "feel it occasionally"). Furthermore, while approximately 70% (69.7%) recognized that "diet is important," a gap was found between this awareness and actual behavior.

Survey Results Summary

✓ Approximately 40% (45.3%) experience discomfort after GW ✓ "Lethargy/fatigue" (66.9%) was the most common symptom of discomfort ✓ Mental effects such as "lack of motivation/feeling sluggish" (44.9%) were also noted ✓ Approximately 70% (69.7%) consider diet important ✓ On the other hand, "doing nothing in particular" was the most common response at 45.0% ✓ "No change from usual" was the most common dietary habit during GW at 55.0%

Do you feel physical and mental discomfort after GW?

To what extent do you feel physical and mental discomfort (such as lethargy, low mood, decreased concentration) after Golden Week?

【Key Point】 The results showed that "feeling it (total 45.3%)" and "not feeling it (total 54.7%)" were almost evenly matched. This suggests that for many people, the period after GW is a "time when physical condition is prone to fluctuations."

What specific physical and mental discomfort did you feel?

What specific physical and mental discomfort did you feel? (Multiple answers allowed)

【Key Point】 In addition to physical discomfort, mental discomforts such as "lack of motivation" and "low mood" were also prominent. This indicates that the so-called "condition decline unique to post-holiday periods" is widespread.

Regarding your dietary habits during the annual Golden Week period, please tell us what applies to you (multiple answers allowed)

Regarding your dietary habits during the annual Golden Week period, please tell us what applies to you (multiple answers allowed)

【Key Point】 While more than half responded "as usual," approximately 40% experienced some change in their dietary habits. In particular, "increased eating out" and "overeating" are considered potential causes of discomfort.

Do you think diet plays an important role in addressing physical and mental discomfort after holidays?

Do you think diet plays an important role in addressing physical and mental discomfort after holidays?

【Key Point】 Approximately 70% (69.7%) recognized the importance of diet. This suggests that the "role of diet" in health management is widely understood.

What dietary measures do you take for discomfort after Golden Week? (Multiple answers allowed)

What dietary measures do you take for discomfort after Golden Week? (Multiple answers allowed)

【Key Point】 "Doing nothing" was the most common response, clearly showing a gap between awareness and action. Although some efforts to improve diet were observed, overall, there was a tendency towards "insufficient measures."

The Challenge for Post-GW Discomfort Measures: The Gap Between "Awareness" and "Action"

This survey revealed that many people feel unwell after Golden Week. Particularly noteworthy is the point that "despite approximately 70% understanding the importance of diet, 45% take no measures."

This "discrepancy between awareness and action" is likely one of the factors prolonging post-holiday physical discomfort.

Comment from Wellness Dining's Registered Dietitian

Wellness Dining's Registered Dietitian

The period after Golden Week is a time when physical condition is easily disrupted due to changes in lifestyle rhythms and dietary habits.

The key is to "adjust without overdoing it."

・Be mindful of easily digestible meals ・Consume a balanced intake of vegetables and protein ・Regulate meal times

Instead of aiming for perfection immediately, "gradually returning" is the key to recovery.

【Survey Overview】 ■ Survey Name: Survey on Golden Week

Survey Conductor: Wellness Dining Co., Ltd. (Wellness Dining Karada Omoi Research Institute)

Target Audience: 300 men and women aged 35-65 nationwide (150 men / 150 women)

Survey Method: Closed-format online questionnaire

Survey Period: May 2026

Remarks: The survey results are rounded to the nearest whole number, so the total composition ratio may not be 100%.

Source: When quoting or publishing the contents of this survey, please clearly state "Wellness Dining Co., Ltd." as the source and kindly notify us in advance.

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