Mental Wellness Month: How to cope with post-vacation blues

Wersquore all too familiar with the feeling that hits us every Sunday evening the dread of the upcoming Monday While Monday blues are a weekly occurrence the discomfort we feel after returning from a vacation and resuming work can be overwhelmingA marketing professional Karan Mehra took off for three weeks during December and experienced anxiety about returning to work ldquoI was hiking in Himachal Pradesh and it was so peaceful After a busy quarter at work I was finally able to disconnect and rejuvenate but the thought of returning to the city and to my life was making me anxiousrdquoWith the end of the holiday season many of us are struggling with the inevitable going back to our monotonous lives ldquoComing back from a vacation and readjusting to your life can be harder than you think Postvacation or postholiday blues is the feeling of unhappiness and helplessness one feels after returning from a vacationrdquo shares Mehek Rohira therapist at The Mood SpaceWhat are the signsAfter resuming work Mehra found himself zoning out of meetings and struggling to meet deadlines ldquoDuring the first few days I felt as if I had lost all interest and wasnrsquot able to focus It was frustrating because I am not someone who misses deadlines or forgets tasksrdquoWhat we usually dismiss as laziness or procrastination can have a real and significant impact on our lives ldquoSome of the typical signs include difficulty in concentrating irritability decreased productivity disinterest in activities increased fatigue and changes in eating and sleeping patterns One may also find themselves daydreaming about their vacation constantly looking at pictures of their vacation or planning their next vacation These behaviours usually impact onersquos performance when returning to work or academicsrdquo explains RohiraWhy does it happenWhen asked how a short break can influence us so deeply Rohira clarifies ldquoWhen one is on vacation the personrsquos mind and body get used to another place another routine The mind and body take time to readjust and reintegrate into the routine of their daily livesrdquoThe sudden drop in the pleasurable experiences one indulges in can leave one feeling disengaged ldquoVacations are accompanied by periods of rest and relaxation or adrenaline rushes depending on the type of vacation one prefers The positive effects often disappear within the first week of returning to work due to the pressure to get back to onersquos daily routine Having to return to work school and the daily grind can be a source of distress and discomfort for the mind and bodyrdquo concludes RohiraHow long does it lastWhile there is no hard and fast rule for how long postvacation blues last the average time it takes to readjust to onersquos daily routine is around one week to two weeks However the longer one stays on holiday the longer it takes to get reoriented to onersquos daily routine10 ways to cope with postvacation bluesWhile there is no onesize fits all approach to cope with postvacation blues Rohira shares 10 tips to help you readjust to your regular life1 AcceptanceThe first step to solving an issue is to accept that this is a real phenomenon Acknowledge the feelings that come up for you and remember to validate your experiences2 Give yourself time to adjustAllow a few days between returning from a vacation and resuming work or academics This will give you that shoulder period to realign yourself3 Ease into your scheduleIf you expect to pick up right where you leftmdashand at the same pace you might be setting yourself up for a fall Slowly pick up the pace instead of immediately rushing into your old schedule4 Document your tripPhotographs and videos are not just for the sake of social media but also serve a purpose of recording memories Try to make a virtual album or a physical scrapbook Capturing these memories provides emotional comfort during this period5 Physical remindersWhile you may have returned from your dream destination you can always bring back a souvenir from your vacation to your workstation This can motivate you during your periods of disinterest in work6 Set aside timeBlock out chunks of time where you are not working and not checking emails This will allow time for you to rest and recharge7 Focus on selfcare and what is important to youPlan activities that you enjoy such as reading a book spending time with family or catching up on your favourite TV series8 Identify what triggers you to slip into the bluesTriggers could be something in your personal life or professional life or simply scrolling through social media and seeing others vacationing9 Be mindfulIt is recommended to practise deep breathing and mindfulness techniques These can help with the triggers and bring you back to the present moment10 Seek help if it continuesIf the signs continue for longer than expected make sure to reach out to a professional for support These could be signs of an underlying conditionAlso Read Top travel trends to watch out for in 2023