How To Beat The Back-To-Work Blues After A Vacation
One way to combat a lack of energy is to break up the day with physical activity. Most experts recommend taking breaks every 25 to 90 minutes.
Forbes
careers
Jan 8, 2024 | 729 words | ★★☆☆☆
You’ve been enjoying a much-needed vacation with your family, and it hits you. Your first day back at the office is around the corner. Whether you spent a week in Paris or decided to make it a staycation, getting back into the swing of things can be challenging. In a survey commissioned by Zapier, 87% of knowledge workers admit that there are things they dread about returning to work after enjoying time off. Some of the most unpleasant tasks include getting back into a routine, catching up on administrative items and feeling inundated with busy work.
It's normal to have the back-to-work blues. Whether you feel downright depressed or are just having trouble concentrating, these tips will help ease the transition.
Set Yourself Up For Success
The day before you return to work, plan your first day back so there aren’t any surprises. Make sure not to schedule any meetings (or at least none in the morning) so you can have time to catch up. Then, determine what you will tackle that first day by time-blocking tasks in your calendar. Also, get to bed early the night before so you’ll have the energy you need. Finally, consider getting into the office early to set yourself up for success. In Tom Corley’s best-selling book,
Change Your Habits, Change Your Life
, nearly 50% of the self-made millionaires in his research get out of bed at least three hours before their workday starts.
Start New Work Habits
Returning to a routine can be difficult if you’ve been out of the office for a while. That’s why it’s the perfect time to establish new office habits. One way to combat a lack of energy is to break up the day with physical activity. Most experts recommend taking breaks every 25 to 90 minutes. In fact, several studies show that taking regular breaks between work tasks can lead to reduced stress and increased productivity. Another powerful habit is minimizing distractions—namely, your cell phone. According to a CareerBuilder survey, more than half of employers (55%) say workers’ mobile phones are to blame for decreased productivity. To make your phone less distracting, try blocking annoying apps, controlling your notifications and disabling sounds. Even leaving your phone in another room or a desk drawer can improve your concentration.
Tackle The Most Pressing Matters First
When you return to work, your body and mind need time to readjust to a new schedule. So, the last thing you want to do is tackle everything at once. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, prioritize the most critical, time-sensitive items. You don't need to respond to every email immediately, just the most pressing ones. Another tip is to focus on one task at a time. When we multitask, it divides our attention in a way that decreases performance. Working strategically will make you more productive and less likely to burn out.
Connect With Colleagues
Even though you are feeling the back-to-work blues, try not to isolate yourself. Connecting with people at work is a great way to boost your mood and even improve your overall health. An easy way to do this is to socialize with colleagues to learn about what happened while you were out. If you find yourself buried in emails, tell people you saw their note and will get back to them. You can use your first week back to schedule lunch or a virtual coffee with coworkers to trade vacation stories. Who knows, you might even get an idea for your next holiday destination.
Surround Yourself With Items That Spark Joy
Did you buy any meaningful mementos on your trip? Now is the time to display them on your desk. Whether a photograph or a snow globe, it will help you relive those fond vacation memories. Showing unique items is also a great icebreaker when meeting someone new in the office. Another way to lift your mood is to surround yourself with things that make you feel at home, like family photos and live greenery. Finally, elevate the mood with aromatherapy or inspiring artwork. Ultimately, your office environment should feel like an extension of you.
If you're experiencing the back-to-work blues, you're not alone. While it can shock the system, there are ways to stay motivated and ease back into a healthy routine. By employing these strategies, you can turn a potentially painful experience into a smooth transition.
■
——新英文外刊，每日精选优质外刊文章，文章高质、话题丰富、时效新鲜，始于2016年3月。
