And We’re Back! Post-Vacation Blues Can Be Rough—But We’ve Got Some Cool Tips to Get You Back in the Game
You’ve had a great vacation, you’re feeling recharged, full of energy, and ready for a fresh start. But somehow, your ideas are stuck in your head, and even the simplest tasks feel sluggish. You’re double-checking everything, afraid of making mistakes. Although your batteries should be full, you still feel drained. So, what’s going on?
Experts say that returning to work after a quality, exciting vacation can be surprisingly stressful. The better the vacation, the stronger the post-vacation slump. Sound familiar? You push through, trying hard because you think you’ve rested enough, but work just isn’t clicking. It’s a total mental “tilt,” and that’s no good in any job. For example, when I was a PR manager, clients expected ideas and advice, while journalists waited for quick, quality content. So, what to do? Here’s a tried-and-true plan to shake off the post-vacation stiffness.
Early bird catches the worm
The oldest trick in the book, but it works: arrive at work at least an hour early. This gives you time to ease into the day, check emails, or even just stare at the wall for a bit. It’s a proven method that really helps!
Don’t Eat the Frog!
Mark Twain once said that if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, you can be sure it’s the worst thing that will happen to you that day. The ‘frog’ is the biggest, hardest task, which you should tackle at the start of each day. Great advice—except this week! This is the one week when it’s totally okay to avoid making any major decisions or taking on big tasks.
Make a Plan (Haha!)
Don’t just sit there. Even if your work energy is running on fumes, you can still be productive. Create a calendar of activities and use different colors to mark the most urgent tasks (depending on how many important projects are waiting for you). Be useful. If you can’t motivate yourself, look around—maybe someone else needs your help.
Give Yourself Time
A task that would typically take you one day might stretch into two. So, for everything you’d usually finish in a single day, assume it’ll take at least two, and plan accordingly. For instance, writing this article took us two days (NOT cool!).
Start Exercising
Anything works! Try getting into a new workout routine. Physical activity has a powerful effect on the brain, especially when it’s in that weird hibernation phase after a break. This is the perfect time to start incorporating some fitness into your routine.
Drip by Drip—Waterfall!
This one’s super important: drink plenty of water at work. Don’t turn into a frog, but avoid quenching your thirst with coffee or sugary drinks. That only tricks your body, which can have a pretty bad impact on your overall health.
Our COOL tip to beat post-vacation blues is to start planning your next getaway right now! Even if it’s just a weekend trip, having something to look forward to makes a big difference.
Got a tip of your own? Share it with us—we’re all ears!
