One moment you’re enjoying yourself on a tropical getaway, the next moment you’re thinking about returning to the office. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Post-travel depression is a common phenomenon and its symptoms are vague anxiety, increased irritability and a general unease. Pair this with getting back into work and you may start lacking motivation, have difficulty concentrating and be out of sync with your routine. It’s only a natural reaction to the transition from a carefree, leisurely lifestyle back to the demands of work. As a result, our brains become accustomed to this state of relaxation and it can be challenging to switch back to a fast-paced environment. However, incorporating a few simple strategies can help seamlessly guide you back into rhythm. Here are a few tips to help reignite your focus after your break.
1. Begin with prioritizing yourself
Vacations are supposed to be a time for you to unwind from your daily responsibilities and feel rejuvenated. So why does it feel so tough to come back to your normal routine? The easiest solution is prioritizing self-care. The thing is, self-care is often the first thing to go out the window when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to shift back to your regular routine and feel more than ready for work.
The first step is to take care of your personal responsibilities such as laundry, grocery shopping and tidying up your home. We can all agree that unpacking your luggage is a tedious and annoying task, but doing so within the same day of getting back will prevent clutter, free the essential items that you need and give you a smoother transition now that you don’t need to worry about it. The more at-home tasks you can complete, the less you'll need to worry about after work. You can just relax and avoid having another thing to stress about.
After you’ve taken care of your personal tasks, it’s time to consider how you can prepare for the morning before work. The rule of self-care still applies; don’t neglect it! Wake up an hour early to settle in to your usual morning routine. There are many activities to incorporate into a positive regimen: drinking a glass of water to hydrate your body, going outside for some sunlight, stretching, doing a light workout, meditating and eating a well-balanced breakfast. All of these actions will prepare your mind and body for a successful first day after your trip. Don’t make it a harsh transition back to work!
2. Write out realistic goals and priorities for the week
Now that you’re back in the office, you may feel the post-vacation slump beginning to settle in. The key to overcoming this is to set realistic goals and priorities for the backlog of work that may have accumulated during your absence. Create a to-do list by browsing your emails and calendar, organize the tasks that need to be caught up on and color-code them by urgency. Some assignments may require you to communicate with your clients and team members who may also need your attention, so make sure to organize these messages within your to-do list. Any projects that’ve been queued up before your break should also be organized.
Once you have your list, you should tackle the most intimidating task first. This method is called “eating the frog,” which refers to the process of identifying the most difficult task of the day and finishing it before any other work. It’s daunting to take your first swing at the biggest obstacle from the beginning of your day, especially when you just came back from vacation mode. However, taking down this task will also remove any anxiety and stress that may hinder your day from thinking about it.
Another method is time blocking, the process of dividing specific tasks into specific time slots. This helps you pace yourself and focus on one goal without being distracted from other responsibilities. Most importantly, you don’t need to complete everything even if you feel the urge to do so. Remind yourself that you’re only human and you can only do so much in a day.
3. Socialize with your team members
Switching from vacation to work mode is challenging no doubt, but you don’t have to do it alone. You may feel like staying in your shell is the natural thing to do after a long break, but it’s going to prevent you from having genuine and productive interactions with your colleagues. Begin your day with some warm and friendly greetings. If you have close relationships with your team members, they’ll be happy to hear about your time off. You can briefly connect with them during your breaks or after work, allowing for some positive mental space from your duties. If there are any meetings planned for the day, try to avoid having them during the first few hours. This allows for everyone who went on a break, including yourself, to focus on individual tasks and gradually jump back into their routine. Most people have increased concentration and energy levels in the early morning, making it the ideal time for being productive.
Another thing to note is that if you’re having a difficult time getting out of your post-vacation slump, don’t be afraid to reach out to your colleagues for support and guidance. They could catch you up on the latest updates and give you valuable insights based on their own experiences. Collaborating with others can help you feel more connected, motivated and reestablish your presence. Ease back into work with a friendly smile and realize that what you do is important for your organization.
4. Get organized and mentally situated
If you come back from vacation to a messy desk, it’s going to be an uphill battle for your productivity. A cluttered work area causes distractions and pulls you into a cycle of procrastination. Just like that, your mind is wandering and unable to focus on a singular task. Put yourself in a good mental state by visualizing an organized desk area. You’ll have your necessities out in front of you like a notepad, pen and important folders. A glass of water and sufficient room for you to stretch will make you feel right at work. If you bought a souvenir from vacation, feel free to bring an appropriate item such as a coffee mug, desk ornament or a framed picture. These small trinkets can offer a sense of mental well-being and serve as a source of motivation.
Once your work area looks sharp and clean, take a breath and consider doing a brief mindfulness exercise to gather a few moments of reflection. You can find a quiet and comfortable place to sit while closing your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax. Practice this for a few minutes to toss out personal worries and allow yourself to prepare for the workday mentally. The more you practice mindfulness, the more effective it becomes. Just a gentle reminder that feeling post-vacation guilt and anxiety is natural, but dwelling on these negative emotions will only hinder your day. Embrace a positive mindset and know that taking things one step at a time is acceptable. Keep your morale high and your mind sharp!
No one is feeling a hundred percent after a vacation and that’s completely okay. It may take a couple of minutes for some to get adjusted to work, while for others it may be a couple of hours or even days. If possible, you can opt to redirect your maximum focus to working in the middle of the week to give yourself a buffer day. While stress is a common experience, if it persists for more than a couple of weeks, consider seeking help from a specialist. By understanding the causes and effects of this slump, you can implement these tips and regain your sense of productivity. It’ll feel like you’ve never left!
Author: Gary Wong
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