Post-Vacation Blues? Here’s How to Return to Work Refreshed

With the holiday season right around the corner, many employees are planning to visit family and friends, or have perhaps scheduled a much-needed vacation (or staycation). Vacations can feel like the perfect escape from our everyday lives, but when the last day arrives, reality comes rushing back. It’s not unusual for people returning to work to catch the post-vacation blues, and it’s important to devise strategies to help you overcome it. Here’s what causes the post-vacation blues, and what you can do to get out of the slump.

What Causes the Post-Vacation Blues?

Sudden Lifestyle Shift

Vacations are often the antithesis of our everyday life, with relaxed schedules, freedom from responsibility, and a sense of novelty and adventure. Returning to routines and deadlines can make this transition feel even more abrupt and challenging.

End of Anticipation

Planning and looking forward to a vacation can create excitement and positive energy. After the vacation ends, this anticipation drops off suddenly, and the return to normality can feel lackluster.

Stress of Catching Up

Often, we return to a mountain of responsibilities, emails, and tasks. For many, the feeling of needing a “vacation from the vacation” is all too real as the pressures of daily life catch up.

Biological Readjustment

Vacation can disrupt your sleep patterns, eating habits, and overall schedule. The body’s response to readjusting can affect mood, making us feel groggy and irritable as we settle back into a routine.

Social Comparison and Reflection

Spending time away can provide a new perspective, making us rethink aspects of our lives or work. This reflection, while often positive, can sometimes lead to questioning our current circumstances and career paths.

Tips for Beating the Post-Vacation Blues

Ease Back Slowly

If possible, avoid diving straight into a busy workday right after returning. Allow a day to unpack, relax, and prepare before jumping back into full-throttle mode. Planning a day at home before returning to work can help make the transition smoother and provide time to mentally shift gears.

Integrate Relaxing Vacation Habits

One reason vacations feel rejuvenating is that they allow us to step back and incorporate rest into our days. Consider bringing some of those elements into your daily routine, such as setting aside time for reading, taking short walks, or enjoying a lunch away from your desk. Small practices like these can make your everyday feel more like the freedom of vacation.

Capture Your Memories

Revisiting the highlights of your trip can boost your mood. Organize your photos, journal about your favorite experiences, or create an album. Reliving positive memories can serve as a mood booster and make you feel grateful rather than down about returning.

Plan Your Next Getaway

Having something to look forward to is an antidote to the post-vacation blues. Even if it’s just a weekend getaway or a one-day outing, planning a future break can provide the excitement and anticipation that helps combat the post-trip slump.

Practice Gratitude for Your Routine

It’s easy to romanticize vacation, but a structured routine has its perks too. Shift focus by actively practicing gratitude for things in your everyday life—be it a job you enjoy, friendships, or simple comforts like your morning coffee routine. Reflecting on these positives can help you feel more at ease about settling back into daily life.

Prioritize Physical Health

Returning from vacation can leave you feeling physically drained, especially if you’ve experienced a change in time zones or diet. Prioritize sleep, stay hydrated, and ease back into healthy eating habits. Physical well-being directly influences mood, so small actions like these can help re-energize you quickly.

Set New Goals

The end of a vacation is the perfect time for a fresh start. Use this opportunity to set new personal or professional goals. Whether it’s a fitness goal or a career project, having a new purpose can keep you motivated and focused beyond just the post-vacation period.

Overcoming the Slump and Getting Back on Track

Returning from vacation doesn’t have to mean falling into a depressive slump. In fact, if you take the time to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally, the transition can be smooth and even fulfilling. Just as vacations are about unwinding, the period afterward can be an opportunity to reset and introduce positive changes in your daily routine.

Whether it’s integrating small habits that made your vacation enjoyable, setting a new goal, or appreciating the stability of your routine, these strategies can help bring the refreshing benefits of vacation into your everyday life. By reframing how you think about returning to work and setting intentional goals for the future, you can build excitement and motivation that lasts far beyond the vacation itself.