NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - They're supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation, but vacations have become such a hassle that many Americans come home more worn out than ever, a new Gallup survey shows.

The poll of 1,000 US adults found that 54% said they had returned from a recent get-away feeling tired, including 19% who said they were "very tired" or "exhausted." In fact, more people were tired after their trips than before them, according to the survey.

Respondents also provided some possible reasons for their post-vacation exhaustion. For example, more than half packed either the night before or the day of the trip, and one-third went to bed significantly later than usual due to this lack of planning.

Of respondents with jobs, 36% said they had to work harder or stay at work late right before their trips--a job pressure that caused some to lose sleep.

Once on their trips, many respondents veered from their normal sleep patterns, staying up late and rising early. And even when they did get to bed, some had trouble falling asleep due to noise, uncomfortable accommodations, worry over work, or financial or family problems. [...]