Of course, you can wait it out, but the process of procrastinating will not help you in the long run, and you will wish that you have kicked back to your old routine a lot sooner. Bouncing back and embracing the daily grind after a well-deserved break is important.
Thus, we have listed down how to make your transition back to work a lot smoother:
1. Get enough sleep
Make sure that you get enough rest the night before you get back to work to make you feel at your best. Doing so will let you have more focus and discipline once you return to work. Sleep helps increase your mental alertness while helping lift your general mood. So, aim for at least eight hours of sleep before getting back to work. If you feel a bit tired, you can take a short nap in the afternoon.
2. Arrive at work a bit early
On your first day back at work, make sure that you arrive a little earlier. This will give you more time to process the fact that you're no longer on vacation. This also gives you an ample amount of time to reply to emails. Moreover, you'll probably want more quiet time alone before your co-workers will bombard you with questions, asking about your recent trip. All the more reason why you need to show up early.
3. Have a to-do list
You probably have an extensive to-do list waiting for you as soon as you get back to work. But even if you feel that you should throw yourself right away with these projects to get it done as soon as possible, it's one of the easiest ways to get burnt out. So, make a list of the major goals that you want to accomplish. Then break down these goals into simpler more actionable tasks, setting realistic targets as you go.
Ideally, try to take one step at a time so you won't be overwhelmed with all the post-vacation work that's waiting for you.
4. Communicate with coworkers
You should also use the opportunity to re-engage and talk with your co-workers when you get back. You can use these as an opportunity not to get caught up with work-related tasks, and also check if certain priorities have changed while you were away. Ask your colleagues what's important to them now, and how you can help them in the best way you can now that you are back.
5. Clear your mind
As soon as you get back to work, you will realize that there is a lot of clutter. After the buzz of your recent holiday starts to wear off, you definitely have to do something about it. There are a couple of things that you need to consider. You can start by decluttering and cleaning your workspace. Second, you need to do the same thing with your devices.
Start sorting out your folders, your emails, and your inbox. Sometimes, it is more than just decluttering. It is all about getting reacquainted with your office. Finally, you need to declutter your mind. You can start analyzing your usual work processes. Identifying at least three opportunities for improvement. Make your pick and start changing things for the better.
6. One task at a time
To reduce your workload, you may feel pressured to take on a number of tasks all at once. But the thing is, multitasking is not the most efficient way to get things done. This will only increase your stress levels, break your concentration, and even hinder your goals at times.
So, try focusing on one project at a time. You will feel more accomplished if you take on one task at a time, simultaneously checking them off from your to-do list, and ease your worries by doing too many things at once.
7. Do usual work routine
Breaking your routine while you're on vacation is the reason why it could be difficult to get back to work. Establishing a daily routine will help promote efficiency because it takes off the need to deliberate over decisions, which can take up your time and energy. As soon as you get back from your holiday, it's highly likely that you need to do extra work on top of your average tasks.
When you recommit yourself in a pre-vacation routine, you'll free up your time and energy whenever you need it.
8. Declutter your workspace
Decluttering your workspace is always a challenge. Accumulating a lot of things for a long period can sometimes be inevitable. New office supplies will come in to replace previous ones, documents will pile up, and clutter doesn't seem to leave your place. All of these can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious once you return to work.
You can still keep your past projects, records, and other things in a storage container. What you can do is browse through them to determine if they're necessary and dispose of them if it’s not. Try to keep your workspace clean and tidy without burning yourself out. That way, you’ll feel a boost of productivity, and you'll be more willing to take on tasks for the day.
9. Take what you’ve learned
Vacations provide us with a much-needed break from work, daily chores, and deadlines. This could be a great time to examine how your vacation is different from your day-to-day routine and then identify which part of that experience can you incorporate in your daily routine.
Some people realize that they need to use their phones less, watch less TV to kill time, and incorporate more relaxation activities and downtime to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
There is nothing worse than having a fun, relaxing holiday ruined by the anxiety of going back to work. These tips will help you transition back to the normal workday that works best for you.