Back to Work

Going back to work after some well-earned vacation time can sometimes be a little overwhelming and even a little depressing. Getting back into the accelerated rhythm of professional life can be strenuous after spending two weeks relaxing and disconnecting; it takes a bit of adjusting. The longer you are away, the harder it is to come back to reality. It is something we all go through, but some people deal with it better than others. Wondering how they do it? It’s pretty simple: everything depends on your attitude and your way of approaching the situation. Here are some ways to help you make the transition from leisure to labour as smooth as possible. 

All good things come to an end
Remember that in order to go on vacation, you need money; to get money, you need to work. Seems logical enough. Why not go back to work with a clear plan of your next vacation. This way, you will be working towards a goal: making your next vacation happen—which will definitely increase your motivation.

Stay positive
The worst thing you can do is have a negative attitude. If you are stressed about going back to work days before you are actually due back at the office, and may even be losing sleep over it, you are likely to return from vacation more exhausted than when you left. Relax. Take it one day at time; you’ll be less prone to anxiety. Remember, nobody ever died from going back to work after a vacation, so why would you?

It’s all about planning
A few days before your return, contact your boss to find out what’s going on at the office. Knowing what awaits you at work means that you’ll be able to manage your time accordingly, and will be less likely to have bad surprises. This little maneuver will also show your boss and colleagues that you care about your job and the company (this will come in very handy during evaluation time, or when asking for an extra week’s vacation.)

Planning your return to the office is one thing, but planning ahead before you leave is another. Completing all important projects before going on vacation is essential to your holiday peace of mind. Also, warn your colleagues about important issues and deadlines that may come up while you are gone; this will help them to “hold down the fort” while you’re away. You will have less to worry about while you’re vacationing, and knowing that you don’t have any matters overdue can help make the return to the office a little less stressful. 

One thing at a time
If the thought of the numerous files that have accumulated on your desk during your absence, or the dozens of emails waiting in your inbox, is making you feel nervous, stop, breathe and try to relax. You won’t be very efficient if you start panicking about all that needs to get done upon your return. Fix realistic goals for yourself everyday and try to find simple ways of making up for lost time. Staying an extra half-hour at the end of every day won’t kill you, but it will make a big difference in your workload at the end of the week.

D-day
In theory, your vacation time should have you feeling replenished, relaxed and ready to take on work again. The evening before your return to the office, rest and try going to bed early. It is possible that you will be slightly nervous and that you will have some trouble falling asleep, but don’t worry; during your time off, your body stored enough extra hours of sleep to ensure that you’d wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning.