How was your summer break? Good we bet. That pale and pallid complexion you were rocking has been replaced with a healthy glow, you're energised and you feel ready to take on the world again. Oh, but wait. Has your mind started to wander over the state of your inbox at work? Are you worried your workload has been piling up? Maybe you've enjoyed the life of Riley just a little bit too much, making you dread the inevitable return to work.
We all know the feeling and it's not fun, once it starts you'll find it hard to stop the nagging at the back of your mind that reminds you of the first-day-back chaos. It can get even worse when you actually get back, and the stark reality replaces the sun-kissed beach you're used to waking up to.
So how do you beat the holiday blues?
Here are our top 5 tips for getting back into the swing of work after your summer holiday.
1. Take your time in the morning
We know that you're not used to that 6am alarm going off, but trust us on this one give yourself an extra half hour in the morning. Sleeping in will mean that you start your day off rushed and in a cranky mood from the off. Keep that relaxed holiday vibe going a little longer by taking your time, eating a full breakfast and giving yourself plenty of time to get to work. You'll find that you've got a more positive outlook if you're not rushed, and manage to keep some time in the morning for yourself.
2. Prioritise
It's inevitable that when you get back from your break, your inbox will be fit to bursting and your desk covered in post-it notes with people to call back. We'd recommend taking your first day just to get back in touch with your boss, your colleagues and your inbox. First off, have a catch up with your boss. This way, you'll find out anything important that you've missed straight away, and you'll know what to prioritise. Your colleagues will be able to fill you in on the rest, and hopefully you'll not have too much to do immediately.
The next step will be getting your inbox under control. Whittle your emails down to those that your team haven't picked up, and then clearly prioritise the remaining tasks. Hopefully, by the time you leave on your first day back you'll have dealt with anything urgent and you'll have the rest of the week to get into the swing of things again.
3. Plan your evenings
Sometimes, the best thing to get you through the first day back at work is something to look forward to at the end of it! Have something concrete planned for the evening and leave your holiday washing for another night. Catch up drinks with your friends or going to see a film will get you through any first day blues, and give you a light at the end of the tunnel!
4. Take your lunch break
The first day back can be overwhelming, and the instinct to work through your lunch until you're back on track will be strong. Don't fall into the trap! Taking half an hour away from your desk at lunch time to have a walk and be outside will help to clear your mind and keep your positivity on track. Getting some exposure to natural sunlight will re-energise you and give you a boost for the afternoon.
5. Plan your next holiday!
It might sound drastic, but as you get back into the cut and thrust of work you'll find that you need something to look forward to. Whether it's a weekend away or your next summer adventure, start planning your next break. Having milestones to work towards will keep you going through the first week back, and make sure that you've got another break to work towards.
No one likes coming back to work after a holiday, but once you've got the first day over and done with, things should get easier. If work continues to leave you feeling cold and you find yourself counting down the days until the weekend, then it might be time to think about a new role.Get in touch today to see what roles we have avalaible
