How Not to Dread Returning to Work After Vacation

What did you do during your vacation? Did you spend time at the beach or in the mountains? Maybe you traveled through Europe, took a road trip, or had a relaxing staycation.

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On the last day of vacation, everything seems to be going swimmingly. It begins with a capital W.

It is not possible to say yes. Your mind is not messing with you. We don't like going back to work after a break. It is a phenomena that has been studied many times. A survey found that 87% of knowledge workers dread returning to work after a vacation.

Why?

• Reestablishing a routine – 37 percent
• Getting caught up with administrative tasks – 31 percent
• Feeling overwhelmed by busy work – 27 percent
• Post-vacation blues – 27 percent
• Dealing with piles of unread emails/messages – 26 percent
• Being overwhelmed by a busy schedule – 25 percent
• Not being in the loop about tasks – 23 percent
• Catching up on missed work while feeling unproductive – 20 percent
• Missing an important decision made while they were away – 18 percent
• A delay in a project caused by their absence – 18 percent
• Having trouble managing their projects – 17 percent

People generally feel rejuvenated after a vacation according to a psychologist. They disappear after they return home. He says that they feel better during vacation because they have more freedom.

Suzanne Degges-White is a therapist at Northern Illinois University. When we return to the work world, most of us have to answer to someone about what we are doing, how we are doing it, and when we will be done.

She says that vacations don't alleviate all of our responsibilities. Many people dread the return as they know that their problems may have been worse without them. Degges-White says there may be a pile of new requests on top of the unfinished tasks.

She points out that changing from a more flexible sleep schedule on vacation to a more rigid schedule during the week can have a negative effect. It can lead to sluggishness if you eat and drink too much. It can have a negative effect on wellbeing.

The good times don't have to stop after the vacation is over.

1. Plan before you go.

Prepare for your return to work before you leave.

You should think about what problems or events could distract you as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last minute to start a project. If there are deadlines during your absence, be sure to finish any urgent tasks before you leave.

Get your team to assist you while you are away. You should reciprocate when they are not around.

Other tips are included.

• Tackle your priorities ASAP. “How you identify your priorities is totally up to you,” writes Max Palmer in a previous Calendar article. “I would recommend reviewing your calendar and then composing a master list.” If you have an appointment scheduled already, consider rescheduling it. Also, the 80/20 rule or 1-3-5 scheduling rule can help you trim back your list.
• Don’t burn yourself out before your vacation. There’s nothing frontloading what you can. “But, you still need to take breaks to rest and recharge,” he advises. “If I know I have an upcoming vacation, I might put in a couple more hours of work each day.”
• Clean your plate, don’t add more. In Max’s case, this means not taking on any new assignments until he gets back home. “I also cut back on the number of meetings I accept so that I can focus mainly on my work.”

There is one last suggestion. Don't forget to plan your vacations.

Inform your clients and coworkers that you will be away. They should respect your absence if you are on vacation. If you give people several weeks' notice, they won't notice you are on vacation.

2. Don’t disappear completely.

Even if the original idea is to completely disengage, it may be better to be largely disconnected.

It doesn't mean you should stop sending out-of-office messages. You should check your email occasionally. You can keep up with what is happening in the office by following this link. This makes your inbox less cluttered.

Some messages might need your response. Potential clients may want to know how long you're away from them. Let them know if you are able. Maybe you could refer them to a person who can help.

3. Schedule a buffer day.

A buffer day or two is also a good idea if you are considering how many leave days to take off. You have a chance to re orient yourself at home after a vacation. When you return home, you can do laundry, bond with your pets, and shop for essentials.

A buffer day gives you time to unpack your bags, do your laundry, and shop for groceries instead of doing so after work.

4. Check your calendar.

If you don't check your calendar the day before you come back to work, you will be surprised. Is it possible to handle unexpected surprises without a lot of preparation?

Delay them until you can make a difference.

5. Stay in stealth mode.

It is possible that your boss, colleagues, clients, and immediate reports know that you have returned. You don't have to wait a long time before broadcasting your return to the real world.

What's the reason? You can get back to normal life without being rushed or distracted.

6. Divide your first day back into time blocks.

Break up your first day at work into blocks. Don't forget to take a break. The 52 17 rule is one rule. You'd work for 52 minutes and then 17 minutes.

Do not feel pressure to work hard on your first day back at work. It is important to give your body and mind some time to recover from vacation. Time blocks can help you concentrate on your priorities.

7. Get organized.

When you return to work, you should organize. This could mean putting yourself in a good state of mind or body. You might want to do some physical activity to release the feelings of euphoria.

Another suggestion is to keep your workspace clean. You will be able to return to a clean environment if this is done before you leave. Use your post-vacation to clean this area. Use this as an excuse to make your workspace better.

8. Make work fun.

You can use your first week back to get things done. It's possible that this is scheduling lunch with a coworker. You could use Gamification in the workplace.

It is possible to make work by.

• Start the day with a playlist that gets you pumped and motivated.
• Review your past accomplishments and track the progress of your goals.
• Decorate your workspace.
• Put on clothes that will make you happier and more confident at work.
• Bring your dog to work — or let them stay with you in your home office.
• Whenever you complete a task on your to-do list, reward yourself with a healthy snack or victory lap outside.
• Plan an out-of-work activity with coworkers.

9. Don’t go full throttle.

You don't need to be too rigid about what you expect when you return to work. It is possible that your plan for a slow and easy return may turn out to be much quicker than you think.

Time for self-care, pace yourself, and ask for extensions. If you are kind to yourself, you will be less stressed.

10. Take a piece of your vacation with you to work.

Bring a souvenir that is appropriate for the office, such as a coffee mug, mouse pad, pen, desk ornament, or framed picture of your trip. According to Professor Lyubomirsky, recalling vacations and other adventures can provide great pleasure.

It is possible to bring back happy memories when you have a souvenir.

Pexels, thank you!

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