Russian Academician Gennady Onishchenko Urges Russians Not to Travel Abroad for May Holidays

Russian health expert warns against May holiday travel abroad

Gennady Onishchenko, an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and deputy president of the Russian Academy of Education, advised Russians in comments to RIA Novosti not to leave the country during the May holidays.

"There could hardly be a worse decision than traveling abroad for the May holidays," the expert stated. "Even if everything goes smoothly, the abrupt change in climate and time zones isn't rest—it's self-inflicted stress."

According to Onishchenko, the short holiday period does not give the body enough time to fully adapt to new climatic and time conditions. Instead of rejuvenation, people face added strain on their cardiovascular and nervous systems—a particular concern for those with chronic illnesses or heightened weather sensitivity.

The academician proposed an alternative: planning the main vacation for summer, when a longer break allows for comfortable acclimatization, while using the May holidays for trips outside the city—to dachas, forests, or local bodies of water within the familiar climate zone.

"This kind of getaway minimizes health risks, offers quality time with family in the fresh air, and avoids draining the body's resources to cope with extreme changes," the specialist explained.