Time flies when you’re having fun, especially during holidays, when most people get the opportunity to go back home to spend time with their families and loved ones. While others take the time off to travel, clear their minds, and recharge. However, one blink, and you’re back at work again. This is why some people struggle to readjust to their old schedule and develop post-holiday blues.
Let’s see how workers can tackle this kind of blue and get right back to the office, fully loaded.
What Is Post-Holiday Blue?
Did you know that 87% of workers admitted that they feel anxious about going back to work before the holiday ends? [1] Moreover, a survey of over three thousand workers shows that 77% of the respondents are gloomy when their minds travel back to their desks with unfinished work. As a result, their performance decreases once they resume work. [2]
This is a by-product of ‘post-holiday blue,’ a form of depression that causes melancholy, inactive feelings, exhaustion, and depression among workers who are not ready to go back to their working lives after long holidays.
5 Ways to Reignite Your Fire and Tackle Post-Holiday Blue
It’s normal for some to have a tough time readjusting and going back to their usual office life after an amazing holiday. Rest assured, we have best practices designed to put you back on track. Let’s get right to it!
1. Don’t Rush into the Meeting Room, Catch Up with What’s on the Table First
During your vacation, additional workload may have piled up on your desk, not to mention unfinished work before the holidays. So, you should take the time on your first day back to clear off unfinished work, unanswered emails, and push off the pipeline. This will open a space for you to handle new projects. Also, don’t forget to keep up with the latest news and be up to date with the latest trends in your business circle or industry.
2. Freshen Up Your Schedule
Finding a way back to work can be difficult, especially when you’ve been away from your desk for a while. Switching up your schedule is one way to tackle this challenge. Fresh things up and move around to keep you away from the same energy. Staying off the phone during the day can also help you focus more, as 55% of workers revealed that being on their phones is the key factor that negatively affects their efficiency. [3]
3. Prioritize Your Tasks
For office workers, handling several projects and workloads at once is not out of the ordinary. However, dealing with many things at a time can take a toll on you and quickly cause burnout, especially when you’re fresh off the vacation. The best way to work around it is to prioritize your tasks. Work on the time-sensitive and critical pieces first, then move on to less demanding tasks.
4. Keep Comforting Items Close to You
Souvenirs, mementos, or pictures from your latest trip are comforting items that keep you going strong. Placing these objects around you can be a reminder of your good times and inspire you to work hard until the next vacation.
5. Set Your Goals
Whether it’s long or short-term, setting solid goals can help you focus more. It also drives you to work harder towards your finish line. Once you’ve cleared all the unfinished tasks, take time to draw a road map and consider factors that help achieve each goal, as well as challenges that could arise along the way. This will help smoothen the path and get you to your goals faster.
Conclusion
Getting back into work mode after a holiday can be a challenge, but if you have a solid strategy and a strong mindset, you’ll be able to return to your routine stress-free.
As time goes by quickly, the next holiday season will come around soon enough. So, before packing your bag and booking a suite at a hotel by the beach, don't forget to wrap things up nicely at the office. Try to finish your tasks, delegate properly, and make sure each work is well passed on to your colleagues and stakeholders, so you can fully enjoy your next vacation without having to worry about anything on your desk.
Ref:
1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2024/01/07/how-to-beat-the-back-to-work-blues-after-a-vacation/
2. https://pshra.org/back-to-work-blues-survey-finds-employees-anxious-about-returning-from-pto/
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2024/01/07/how-to-beat-the-back-to-work-blues-after-a-vacation/
