We all know the feeling of getting home after a vacation.
You’ve just had one of the best weeks of your life, and now you’re back at home and facing the mundane prospect of work again. This is one of the worst feelings, but there are ways to mitigate its effects.
Instead of wallowing in sadness that you’re no longer at the beach, try some of the tips in this article. The post-travel blues are real and can be horrible to deal with. We’ve researched the critical advice you need when you’re struggling to get back into a workflow after a holiday.
Keep on reading to explore how to minimize the post-travel blues once and for all.
Beat Jet Lag
A common cause of post-travel blues is jet lag. If you’ve been away to a tropical destination, you likely spent a week or two in a different time zone. This is fabulous while you’re away; however, coming home and re-acclimatizing is difficult.
Jet lag can leave you awake in the middle of the night and asleep during the day, and these hours cause you to feel disorientated and tired. This will amplify any stress, so make sure you try to get your sleeping routine back to normal as soon as possible.
Essential methods to beat jet lag include:
- Start adjusting your sleep before you get home. Go to bed earlier on the last few nights of your vacation.
- You can also try to stick to your standard sleeping schedule when you’re on vacation - but this might be difficult in a different time zone.
- Don’t consume caffeine or alcohol three hours before bed, as this can interrupt your sleep.
Keep Up Your Routines While Away
Another essential tip for beating post-travel blues is to keep up any routines whilst you’re on vacation. From exercise to your usual diet, maintaining some home comforts will keep you grounded when you return home. Also, extra activity when you’re away will keep you healthy, and you’ll be less likely to feel a spike in stress levels after the holiday.
A simple power walk or daily run doesn’t seem relaxing to some, but this can keep your routine regulated, and it’ll make your return home more manageable. Nothing gives a bigger shock to the system than a workout after an indulgent holiday!
Book Days Off When You Return
This travel hack will change the way you view work holidays. Booking a few days off work after you return might seem over the top, but it gives you time to settle in before you head back to the office.
The extra day or two at home will allow you to catch up on chores, plus you’ll be able to sleep if you’re jet-lagged. It’s always best to return to work in a calm and organized headspace, so book some extra days off next time you travel.
Make Work Enjoyable
If you have to go back to work straight away after a vacation, try to make your first day back as easy as possible. This means you should leave any admin or “easier” jobs for the day you return, so your brain isn’t overloaded when you get back.
Anyone that works from home should also clean their home office before leaving. Nothing reduces stress like returning to an organized space. If you need some help with organization, an under-desk drawer might help you improve your area.
Enjoy The Memories
When returning home from a trip, many of us end up focused on the stress of work rather than the good memories we’ve just made. A switch in perspective can help us adjust back to daily life. Reframe the narrative of the return and start appreciating the holiday. You can also start looking forward to your next trip, as many find planning another getaway makes the return home easier.
Appreciate Your Home
Similarly to appreciating the vacation, it’s also helpful to appreciate your home life. We can’t all live on a picture-perfect beach, but our home lives are extraordinary too. Counting the perks of your home, friends, and family will remind you how good life at home can be. While an exotic vacation provides a nice break, home is where your life flourishes.
Reevaluate Your Work
Finally, if your home life and returning to work leave you feeling down after a vacation, you might want to assess your current life. We all have to work, but having a job that causes emotional stress isn’t healthy. Talk with trusted family and friends to get their opinion on your feelings. You might want to consider counselling, too, as this will help you see the broader picture.
The Bottom Line
Holidays are one of the fun parts of life. Whether you like an adventure trip or a relaxing vacation, it gives us a period to de-stress and enjoy life. But, coming home shouldn’t be a mood-ruining experience. Hopefully, the advice in this article has helped you reframe the post-travel blues, and you’re ready to get back into daily life now.
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