Every year, workers around the world experience the “after holiday dip”: a feeling of dullness and a lack of motivation when returning to work. Unfortunately, this low mood is often combined with an increased workload, as people struggle to catch up with their neglected inbox and resume suspended projects. Here are some tips to bounce back into the zone and have a great autumn.

What are the Post-Vacation Blues?

The post-vacation blues, after holiday dip, or vacation syndrome are all terms that describe the same thing: a feeling of low mood and lack of excitement when returning to work after a holiday. One of the reasons it has so many names is because it is extremely common, and described in different ways by workers around the world. In fact, 57% of British workers regularly experience post-holiday blues. 

Post-holiday blues are typically experienced after a long, pleasurable vacation. It is brought about by the feelings and experiences of the vacation, in contrast with the feelings and experiences of daily life. It is made worse by several factors: 

  • The length of the holiday. People have a more difficult time adjusting after a long holiday than a short one. 
  • Pleasurable activities. If the holiday involved a lot of enjoyable activities, daily life may seem boring by comparison
  • Contrasting environments. If a person vacationed in a warm, sunny climate, for example,  their mood may be worse if it is cold and dark at home.
  • Social factors. People often vacation with friends and family, and enjoy that feeling of closeness and support. If their daily work and family life is more isolated and less social, it may exacerbate feelings of loneliness. 
  • Rigidness of routine. If a person has to immediately resume a very structured, rigid routine, without easing themselves back into daily life, it may make the post-holiday blues worse. 
  • Workplace stress. If a person returns to work and is immediately faced with a pile of urgent issues and difficult challenges, it may worsen their after-holiday mood. 

In most cases, people recover from post-holiday blues within a few days. In some cases, they can last for a few weeks. If they last for more than 2-3 weeks, they may be a sign of depression and should be taken more seriously. 

Making a Great Transition Back to Work After a Holiday

There are several ways to beat the post-holiday blues and make your return to work a more positive experience. Here are some of the best tips to bounce back into the zone: 

  1. Think about the positives. Toward the end of your holiday, think a bit about work and home in a positive way. Think about coworkers you like, local foods you enjoy, the comforts of home, how nice it will be to have the kids back in school. While it’s normal to put all thoughts of home out of your mind and focus on the here-and-now of your holiday, giving yourself a few minutes a day toward the end of your vacation to think about what you are looking forward to will help ease your transition. 
  2. Share your vacation experiences. Sharing your vacation photos and souvenirs with friends and family back home is a great way to reflect on the experience and prolong your enjoyment. If possible, trade vacation stories with coworkers in order to strengthen your connection with both the past vacation and the present work environment. 
  3. Ease back into the routine. Don’t try to do everything at once. If possible, wait a few days to answer emails and return phone calls. In many cases, problems and issues will have resolved themselves in your absence, and things aren’t as urgent as they seem. Give yourself time to recover your pace. 

Remember that the purpose of a vacation is to tune out and relax, but also to avoid burnout and return to work re-energized and refreshed. Look for the aspects of your job that excite and inspire you, and allow them to propel you forward. 

New Projects and Initiatives for a Great Fall

The best way to beat post-vacation blues is to start something new, generating excitement for what’s next instead of lingering over what’s past. It’s also important to remember that one of the main benefits of holidays and travel is that it allows you to return to work with a fresh perspective and new energy. Your vacation experiences can inspire you to find new solutions and take on new challenges. In fact, the fall is a great time to think about new horizons, new projects, and new initiatives that will re-energize your routine. 

Finally, the post-holiday blues can be a great time to reflect. Perhaps your lack of energy and excitement for your job is a sign that it’s time for a change. If you are considering a new career, check out Grapefrute’s job listings today.