Got the post-holiday blues at work?

When the long-awaited holidays inevitably end, heading back to work can be challenging, and the batteries you recharged during the break can quickly run down. This is often when many people experience the so-called ‘post-holiday blues’, even those who really enjoy the job they’re returning to.

Symptoms include, among other things, feelings of sadness or irritability, fatigue or low energy levels despite having rested, and increased anxiety about catching up on missed work. It’s a natural reaction to the sudden change from a relaxing holiday environment to a structured and formal work setting.

However, there are several things you can do to make your return to the office much smoother. Here are five tips to help you ease back into your regular work routine and remain energized and productive, without losing the energy you’ve gained during your time off.

1. Reframe your perspective

The first step to overcoming post-holiday blues is to work on your mindset. Getting back to the office may feel daunting, but rather than focusing on the amount of work you have to do that makes you anxious, try to reframe your perspective. Think about your return as a great opportunity to use your renewed energy and creativity to move forward with that project you’re genuinely enthusiastic about.

But it’s also important to acknowledge that easing back into work can take time no matter what, so even if you experience these negative feelings, be kind and gentle to yourself. Give yourself some time to readjust and remember to prioritize self-care. Adopting positive habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, can go a long way to helping you reestablish your routine and improve your wellbeing.

2. Prioritize your to-do list

When you come back to hundreds of emails in your inbox and what seems like an endless to-do list, you might naturally feel overwhelmed and think everything is urgent. However, throwing yourself into work straightaway can be counterproductive and increase your stress levels even more.

Instead, start by prioritizing and categorizing your tasks into four key areas: those that require immediate attention; items that can be postponed for a couple of days; tasks that can be delegated to others; and projects that can be finalized later, such as in a few weeks’ time. This approach will help you manage your workload more effectively, allowing you to make steady progress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

3. Set achievable goals

Rather than trying to achieve as much as possible in a short period of time, perhaps due to a fear of looking unmotivated or lazy, reassess your expectations for the first few days after returning to work. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and set smaller, achievable goals that will keep you motivated to power through.

Once you’ve tackled the most pressing tasks, focus on the smaller, more manageable things next. Because you’ll be able to complete these fairly quickly, watching your to-do list shrink will help you feel more in control. Setting realistic goals and celebrating small achievements can help maintain motivation and improve your overall mood. Reward yourself and recover with a ‘high-like task’ when you have tackled one that is important but that you don’t enjoy doing.

4. Remember recovery

Feeling pressured to catch up on work, you can fall into the trap of overloading yourself with responsibilities and working nonstop. But to ensure that your freshly recharged batteries don’t empty immediately on your return, you need to remember to focus on recovery.

By intentionally recovering your energy every 90–120 minutes and working with the body’s ultradian rhythms, you can give yourself the best opportunity to sustain a high level of performance and be at your optimum for most of the day.

This can be through moving the major muscles in the body by taking a short walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator, avoiding sugary snacks and caffeine in preference for more nutritious food, and where possible, engaging in activities that provide a mental reset from work, such as socializing, reading or listening to music.

Far from being unproductive, time spent recovering is an investment that both fuels and enhances the next performance wave, much needed when there’s a lot on your plate after a holiday. You should practice this in a ‘short periods, many times’ format, as opposed to working flat out for several hours and then taking an hour’s break.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

There’s a reason behind the saying ‘teamwork makes the dream work’. If you find yourself swamped with work even after making significant progress with your workload, don’t be afraid to reach out to your colleagues for support and delegate tasks where possible. Oftentimes, tasks can be reassigned among team members and deadlines can be adjusted with minimal impact.

If the post-holiday blues stick with you for longer, consider whether these feelings are still related to your holiday or if there might be other underlying factors at play. It’s crucial to look for the root cause of these emotions and seek help, whether by talking to your team leader or HR manager, or getting professional mental health support.

Experiencing post-holiday blues after returning to work is a natural reaction that can take some time to pass. Be gentle and patient with yourself, and give yourself the chance to gradually adapt to your old routine. Following the advice outlined above will help you ease back into your responsibilities, maintaining your energy and boosting productivity at the same time.