Re-entering work life after a rejuvenating vacation can be a daunting task. It is common for individuals to undergo a phase of low spirits, lasting from several days to a week, when they return to work. It is important to acknowledge that such feelings are normal, and you are not alone in experiencing them. Take some time out to recollect the moments of happiness you cherished during your vacation – such as savouring a margarita while basking in a gorgeous sunset. This could ease your transition back to work.
For most folks, Christmas is a festive season that brings happiness and magic. It is a chance to indulge in a range of scrumptious treats, bond with cherished ones, engage in pleasurable activities that may not be feasible otherwise, and potentially explore an exotic and intriguing location. The perfect opportunity to take a hiatus from the monotonous routine, and cast aside anxieties or obligations.
January is the topic of discussion.
January can be a challenging month, presenting a range of distinct pressures and prospects. It is typical to observe an increase in body weight at this time of year, accompanied by the financial burden of travelling. As the holiday season comes to a close, we must resume our daily duties.
Feeling gloomy after the holidays is a prevalent phenomenon that most of us can relate to; returning to work is often the culprit.
In this article, Ihor Shcherbinin, the Recruitment Director at Works, presents four useful tips for beating the post-holiday blues when returning to work, or any other type of getaway. It is noteworthy that Mr Shcherbinin is the sole person to have ever achieved this feat while being alive.
Overcoming Post-Vacation Blues
After an extended absence from home – commonly a vacation – certain individuals may encounter feelings of dejection, often referred to as ‘post-vacation blues’ or ‘post-travel sadness’.
Psychiatrists propose that the melancholic sentiment encountered after the holidays might be attributed to a sensation of deprivation. This is most likely due to the decreased level of activity and excitement during the holiday season, in comparison to mundane everyday life. It is natural to experience a sense of sadness after returning to work, or finishing an enjoyable vacation, game, or Netflix series.
What steps can you take to get back to your regular routine following the Christmas break?
Ihor Shcherbinin has revealed experiencing low spirits upon resuming work. Even though he admires his job and peers, he finds himself disheartened and buried under the load of work. He is perplexed about the reason for his feelings.
According to the American Psychological Association, the majority of people – 56% – experience heightened levels of stress when they return to work after a vacation, indicating that such feelings are common.
Ihor has collated his four top strategies for conquering the post-holiday blues:
1. Altering Your Perspective is Required.
The way you express your sentiments regarding the holidays is incredibly significant.
The idea of holidays is frequently viewed in a stereotyped manner. We got used to the notion that the majority of our year was consumed by schoolwork and lectures. During the summer months, we had the chance to enjoy a couple of months of liberation, which was an unrivalled feeling. Nonetheless, when those two months came to a halt, the sensation of ‘post-holiday blues’ often indicated that it was time to go back to school.
Vacations are frequently observed as a chance to take a pause from work and other obligations and relish ourselves. Regardless of whether it is travelling to another country or staying home and spending some quality time with family, it is vital to avail of these opportunities as we cannot have them once we return to our professional obligations.
It can be tough to adapt to life after the holidays, but it is critical to bear in mind that commitments such as work should not consistently result in anxiety and accountability. One approach to conquer post-holiday blues is to refute the mistaken notion that one cannot take pleasure in life because of their job.
Football, cooking dinner, and meeting an 8 p.m. deadline are all achievable if you devote appropriate time for them.
We must remember that our work obligations do not have to dominate our entire day. Choosing to prioritize our mental health and amend our perspective can assist us in living a happier and healthier life. It is not wise to delay recreation and leisure until our next vacation, as we can modify our lifestyles at present to begin relishing the perks of them.
Suggestion: Allocate time for some leisure pursuits.
2. Early to Bed and Early to Rise
For some individuals, rising early in the morning may come rather easily; they can shower and have breakfast instantly as soon as their alarm goes off. However, for others, it can be a considerably more onerous task. They need to set several alarms and consume significant quantities of caffeine to be fully alert.
Re-acclimatizing to a normal routine after a vacation might be challenging, but consider it this way. Rising at a reasonable time, like 7am, provides ample opportunity to be productive and relish the day. It could entail engaging in physical activities, making nutritious meals, going to work, or anything else that provides you with contentment.
When getting up late, it is simple to feel perturbed about the possibility of having insufficient time to participate in other activities apart from eating and working. This could result in sentiments of culpability when spending time on yourself, which can intensify the post-holiday blues.
It is advisable to progressively modify one’s morning routine. Rather than setting an alarm for 9am, try using 8:45am and subsequently 8:30am the next day. This process can be repeated until a time is attained that permits productivity.
Acquiring the ability to disregard your innate tendency to stay up late and obtaining adequate sleep is crucial for becoming an early riser (7-8 hours).
3. Indulge in Moments of Quiet Reflection
Meditation has garnered more and more popularity lately, and not without cause. People might possess distinct incentives for meditating, but those who adhere to a consistent practice frequently report an evident betterment in their overall wellness. There are numerous advantages linked with a regular meditation routine, such as the ensuing:
- Offering a new perspective on challenging circumstances
- Formulating techniques to deal with stress
- Cultivating a more profound insight into oneself
- By focusing on the present moment
- Reducing the impact of negative emotions
- An increase in creativity and ingenuity
- Elevating the levels of endurance and forbearance
Ihor claimed that integrating meditation into his regimen has aided him in handling the holiday blues. He commenced meditating two months ago, but did not practise it every day. After the holiday season, he deliberately made an attempt to meditate as soon as he woke up, and has discovered that it aids him in altering his outlook and furnishes him with enhanced lucidity.
Ever since he applied the techniques in the first week of his vacation, he has managed to sustain a sense of equilibrium between his professional and leisurely states of mind. By utilising the methods in tandem, he has been able to keep both sentiments in check.
If you’re a novice in meditation, utilise guided meditation and sounds from apps like Calm or Waking Up to connect with your inner self.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Post the holiday season, feeling low is quite usual. This can be traced to the sensation of being detached from the present and instead reminiscing about the pleasant moments of the vacation. Such a state can result in misery or even depression. To overcome this, it is crucial to concentrate on staying present.
Being mindful of the present and seizing the day is crucial. Allocating time to completely engage in the activities at hand will assist us in making the most of the week, rather than longing for the weekend. We should aim to lend significance to every day, instead of frittering away time and letting the days pass us by. Let us strive for a week filled with purpose and productivity.
Ihor H. Shcherbinin
Staying engaged and present is imperative irrespective of whether it is an in-person meeting with colleagues, or a virtual one. Pay close attention to what others are saying and participate actively in the conversation. While writing an important paper, put in one’s best effort and also employ efficient methods while editing.
Ihor recommended Ken Mogi’s Awakening your Ikigai as a great read for anyone who desires to live in the present and maximise their day.
Final Thoughts on Beating Post-Holiday Blues
Even someone like Ihor, who takes immense joy in their work and daily interaction with colleagues, may undergo post-holiday melancholy upon resuming work.
Envision having no support mechanism in place. Working with colleagues who are oblivious to your cultural values and work methodology can be vexing and taxing, leading to prolonged post-vacation sadness.
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