Back at your desk: how to conquer the back-to-work blues

If you need some time to get back into your usual work routine after a holiday, you may be experiencing the back-to-work blues: a period of low motivation and mood that employees may experience in the first few days after their holiday. And it isn’t a rare phenomenon: according to studies, around two thirds of all employees suffer from listlessness, lack of concentration and motivation after their holiday.

But there are ways to overcome the back-to-work blues and get into your everyday routine again more easily. These tips will help lift your mood after a holiday:

1. Take it easy

Employees work much more than is required of them – not only before, but also after their holiday. In a new study on «Work and Recovery», the German health-insurance company Pronova BKK concludes that 18- to 29-year-olds work an average of almost nine additional hours after the holidays. 30- to 39-year-olds work even more after their holiday, with an average of 20 hours.

You don’t need to get everything done immediately. On the day you return to work, write down all your tasks and spread them across several days. You’ll still be productive even if you don’t skip all your breaks and work late into the evenings. Give yourself time to settle back in, then you’ll be able to perform at your best again within two or three days.

Replace overtime with to-do lists: plan your tasks and take breaks. Image: Unsplash

Pro tip: Set your out-of-office message for one day longer to avoid a meeting marathon on the day you get back and allow yourself some time to respond to messages without any time pressure. In addition, ask your holiday cover to let you know about important progress or urgent decisions. This will give you the comforting feeling of being up to date.

2. Reward yourself with something nice

According to a study by the statistics portal Statista*, around 30% of all workers remain available for professional queries outside their usual working hours. Only 15% manage to switch off completely after work. As you’d expect, the recuperative effect will fizzle out quickly – even after your holiday. Find a balance between work and play and plan activities to recharge your batteries. Dinner with friends, a bike ride or just a good book – find something that brings you joy, schedule it into your everyday routine and follow it through.

*Source: https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/233545/umfrage/faehigkeit-nach-der-arbeit-abzuschalten-nach-position-und-arbeitszeit/

Make the most of your time off: spend time with friends and recharge your batteries. Image: Unsplash

3. Stick to your resolutions

«After my holiday, I’ll eat more healthily and find a hobby.» For most people, a holiday offers a good opportunity to set new resolutions – and more exercise, a better diet and plenty of relaxation are some of the favourites. But often these good intentions remain nothing but wishful thinking. A tip to avoid this: write down your resolution on a card that you carry with you at all times – and look at it five or six times a day. It’ll help you turn your resolution into reality. Or instead of a card, you could try an app like Headspace as well. It offers daily routines or meditation exercises to add a bit of calm to your everyday life and help you focus.

Make your resolutions reality: regularly remind yourself of your goals and stay motivated. Image: Unsplash