People deal with getting back to work after a break differently. While some are refreshed, energised and proactive, looking forward to tackling a rewarding week back, many suffer from the post-vacation blues where our body is at work but our mind is stuck in a tropical island paradise.
The following are a few suggestions that may help you ease back into work without succumbing to the depression stage.
Plan
Coming back to work after being out of touch for a prolonged period does not make for a smooth transition. To avoid this unpleasant suddenness, a day or two before your return, call a few colleagues and catch up on what everybody has been up to, if there is any news from work etc.
Keep it casual but make sure to get updates regarding all the projects that have been on hold during your absence. Start getting on top of your inbox the night before unless you want to spend the first day back just replying to emails.
Meet a colleague
There is always one person at work you are closer to than the rest; meet this person for a breakfast date before your first day back. The purpose is the same as the previous suggestion, to get updates on what has been going on and also to get in the proper mindset for work.
Tidy up
Tidying up is a great first exercise to practice after getting back. It is a way to start with something small that will gradually get you in an active mindset, make sure you find anything that may have been left for you at your desk, and also remind you of projects you’ve been working on.
Most importantly however, it will reaffirm the importance of being present both in body and mind and the fact that vacation time is over.
Take it easy
Don’t take on too much work on your first day back. Screen unimportant calls. Schedule meetings that are not time-sensitive further down the week. Spend the first day back catching up properly and making sure you are well-versed in everything that has happened in your absence.
Plan future vacations
Perhaps the most important point to take to heart: plan your next vacation. If you are depressed and feeling nostalgic about the amazing vacation you just had, start planning your next one; even if it’s half a year away, it’ll give you something to look forward to, because at the end of the break the most devastating feeling is having little to look forward to.
It doesn’t have to be a major vacation; it can be a weekend away or just a daylong outing with friends. Having something fun and exciting coming up is one of the most effective ways to get out of the post vacation blues.
