After almost a month of celebration, attending Christmas parties, and celebrating the new year, who’s ready to return to work?
… oh.
For many, including me, the holidays felt like they simply passed by, and we’re back to our regular schedules once again.
There’s even a specific term for these feelings of loneliness and anxiety: the post-holiday blues.
Returning to work after the holidays is not easy, especially if you’re working at home.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to beat the post-holiday blues and shift back to work mode.
Here are some of them:
Get a Good Night’s Sleep the Night Before
Re-adjusting to your work schedule starts the night before.
Getting a full 7-8 hours of sleep enables you to return to work refreshed and focus on your tasks instead of missing the holidays. This also helps reduce your anxieties and allows you to get an early start tomorrow.
Speaking of starting work early, you can use this extra time to take a short walk, exercise, or meditate to help beat your post-holiday blues. You can also use this time to get as much work done so you can rest in the afternoon.
Establish Realistic Expectations For Your First Week Back
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you see several unread emails and new tasks from your boss when you return from the holidays.
Instead of panicking, establish clear and realistic expectations between you and your boss and co-workers on which tasks and meetings you should prioritize.
Doing so helps prevent miscommunication and allows you to tackle your tasks one at a time.
This also helps you slowly return to your regular work rhythm and resume your productivity after the holidays without experiencing burnout.
Schedule Your Return During a Shortened Week
Haven’t had enough of the holidays?
One way to slightly extend it is by scheduling your first day back midweek so you’ll have an easier time returning to work after the holidays.
This allows you to spend more time resting and being with your loved ones before returning to work.
Plan a Fun Activity After Work
Who says fun times are just for the holidays?
If you’re looking to beat post-holiday blues, find something fun to look forward to after work.
Research suggests that anticipating positive events, such as meeting with friends or going on vacation, helps us cope and recover from our stressors better. Even something as simple as treating yourself to a good lunch can be something to look forward to.
Set Achievable Goals
“New year, new me” is an often-stated phrase we say at the start of the year -then promptly forget a few weeks later.
One reason is that we set unrealistic goals for the year and are discouraged when we can’t achieve them at once.
While there’s nothing wrong with setting lofty goals this year, why not take small steps first?
Instead of immediately aiming for a promotion, you can start by submitting your tasks on time. Aside from being easier to achieve, it’s a stepping stone to further achievements.
Find Things to Be Thankful for in Your Job
One effective way to revive your motivation post-holiday is to focus on your job’s upsides.
It could be how much your career has grown, working with amiable co-workers, or how much your job aligns with your passions and hobbies.
By focusing on these instead of reminiscing about the holidays, you can reignite your eagerness to work again.
‘Tis the Season to Be… Lonely?
Going back to work after the holidays can be difficult, especially if you’re coming back from a long break.
That said, it’s perfectly normal to feel this way, and you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself for feeling a bit reluctant when you return.
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So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here. Good luck, and happy new year!
