How to Get Over Post-Vacation Blues 10 Surefire Tips for Productivity

Going back to work after taking a long time off can be rather dispiriting, particularly after the festive cheer and sweet treats of the year-end holidays. But holidays can’t last forever, and that’s what makes them so cherished. If we could be on holiday every day, we wouldn’t appreciate it half as much.

Because of the pandemic and its resulting movement control orders, Malaysians now more than ever appreciate the freedom to go on vacations. When travel was restricted, people spent their vacations stuck at home, resulting in increased reports of mental issues like depression, loneliness, and anxiety. So, unsurprisingly, most Malaysians took vacation sprees over the holiday season!

But after having your well-deserved break, it’s time to get back to the grind. It’s not all that bad; it’s simply time to make your contribution to society and earn your keep. While we understand it may be difficult to recover from holiday blues, we believe that you can learn how to get over post-vacation blues. So, here’s a list just for that.

10 Tips On How To Get Over Post-Vacation Blues

1. Make a list of priorities

You have most likely put several projects on hold before the holidays. To avoid burning out at the very start of the year, streamline your tasks into one solid list. Create a hierarchy of what needs to be done first, which needs to be cascaded to others, and what can wait until later. Refrain from diving into a new project while you still have pending tasks at hand. That just spells a recipe for burnout.

2. Check and clear your email

Nobody likes mountains of emails waiting for them when they go back to work. But they have to be attended to, especially the urgent ones. Before you return to the office, allot time to skim through most of the emails and sort them by importance or urgency. You should also check your office chats in Viber or Slack to avoid being disoriented on your first day back from the holidays.

3. Make it a short first week back

It’s your first week back to work in the new year. Schedule your return on a Wednesday, so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Starting back on the right note will make a world of difference, especially since you’re still trying to get rid of the holiday high and getting back into work mode. It might feel a bit cheeky, but if you can swing it, more power to you!

Try not to overwork yourself on your first week back. The motivation of the new year may be exhilarating, but trust us when we say that it will run out sooner than you think if you abuse it. So, take it easy on yourself and focus on things that you can do on a daily basis without compromising your mental state.

4. Start the year refreshed and energetic

Assuming that you made the most of your holidays, you should be feeling refreshed and energised as you head back to the office. If possible, slot in a workout session for the first morning of your return. Time to work off those goodies you’ve been feasting on!

Also, since it’s the beginning of the year, try to set up a few resolutions to guide you for the rest of the year. They don’t have to be anything grand. Actually, the smaller it is in scale, the more motivated you’ll be. Smaller goals will likely be more achievable. Your resolutions can be as simple as waking up earlier or journaling. These small things can help you get back on track as you rejoin the workforce.

(Read more: 10 Foolproof Tips to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution )

5. Take a buffer day

One of the greatest mistakes you can make after the holidays is going full force in the office first thing on Monday. Remember that you’re still in vacation mode, so your cognitive response to work will most likely be occluded for a while. Instead of diving into the thick of it right away, allow yourself one or two days to freshen up. You don’t need to do anything big; you just have to allow yourself to relax for a bit before going back to work.

A few things you can do is go grocery shopping, buy ice cream during a nice afternoon, or visit the local park. Having a buffer day will let you process things much easier when you return to work after a holiday.

6. Get in early

Plan to leave a bit earlier to avoid rush hour traffic, making sure you get in while the office is still relatively quiet. This will help you get a headstart on tackling the mountain of emails in your mailbox before the phone starts ringing and you get dragged into meetings and whatnot.

7.  Make a to-do list for small tasks and big tasks

Get organised so you can stay on top of things. Having a checklist allows you to see at a glance what needs to get done while giving you a sense of accomplishment as you check off the boxes. It’s a simple yet effective way to stay productive and focused.

8. Postpone meetings to make time for work

Most people will spearhead meetings at the very start of the year to ensure that everyone gets back on track. This isn’t usually very efficient. Instead of making people attend meetings, focus your energy on attending to work that has been put on hold while you were on vacation.

Take into account that other people are also behind in some of their workload, so giving them ample time to finish them will make the meetings more fruitful since you will have outputs to discuss.

9. Socialise with your workmates

Make a point of catching up with your colleagues over lunch or coffee. Ask them how their holidays went, swap stories and ask about their goals for the new year. These bonding sessions are essential towards building a positive working environment and fostering collaborative relationships.

Take your time to reconnect with your colleagues, especially since you’ve most likely made a few friends in the office. This will help alleviate tension within you when you return to work after a holiday.

10. Practice gratitude

It’s easy to moan and whine about all the things we wish we didn’t have to do in life, but that would be counterproductive. Why not start practising gratitude? You have a decent job to return to. You just had a relaxing holiday (not everyone has that luxury). You have everything you could possibly need (wants are a completely different matter). So be grateful for what you have and focus on the possibilities that lie ahead.

The future is bright, and it’s up to you to make the most of it! We’re here to help you in every step of your career. #SEEKBetter jobs once you create or update your JobStreet profile. If you need more advice in handling the challenges in your workspace, we got you! Go to our Career Resources so you’ll be more equipped to take on any challenges that may arise.