Strategies for Overcoming Post-Vacation Letdown Upon Resuming Normal Life
Feeling down after a vacation may seem unexpected, but it's a common occurrence. According to Monica Johnson, PsyD, owner of Kind Mind Psychology in New York City, this phenomenon can occur because a vacation is like a 'high' that is followed by the mundane routine of everyday life.
Returning to work, household chores, and the dullness of everyday life can be particularly challenging after a holiday. "Suddenly, the ordinary tasks feel painfully dull, and you're left with a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction," Johnson explains. The post-vacation blues often stem from the fact that people tend to pin all their hopes for joy, rest, and unstructured fun onto a single holiday, which can make re-entering reality even more jarring.
To ease the post-vacation slump, experts suggest several strategies. First, prepare your space for a smooth reentry by making sure your home is tidy and cozy before leaving for vacation. Second, try to schedule your return for a day that allows for a buffer between vacation and work, such as a Sunday, to help ease the transition. Third, create small moments of vacation-esque spontaneity at home, such as planning a reservation at a new restaurant or attending a friend's event.
Additionally, tuning into your feelings can help you identify if there is something missing in your daily life. "A lot of the time, people use their vacation as a savior from their boring town or job," Johnson says. "That's too high an expectation to put on one trip. So I encourage people to reflect on their emotions and ask: Is there something that needs to be different about your life?"
If you feel that the post-vacation blues are lasting for more than a few days or if you're also experiencing symptoms such as irritability or trouble sleeping, it may be worth checking in with a therapist or doctor. These could be symptoms of depression.
In conclusion, managing post-vacation blues and easing back into your routine can be challenging, but by incorporating strategies such as gradual reintegration, maintaining healthy habits, practicing mindfulness, reflecting on memories, creating a to-do list, reconnecting with friends and interests, prioritizing self-care, and setting realistic expectations, you can effectively manage post-vacation blues and smoothly transition back into your routine.
- Mental health professionals, like Monica Johnson, PsyD, explain that the post-vacation blues can be attributed to the abrupt transition from the excitement of a holiday to the mundane routine of everyday life, resulting in a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
- To smoothen the reentry process, experts recommend maintaining self-care, such as planning a reservation at a new restaurant or attending a friend's event, to create small moments of spontaneity at home.
- Moreover, health-and-wellness experts suggest tuning into your feelings to identify potential issues in your daily life, such as unresolved job dissatisfaction or a need for change in your living situation.
- If the post-vacation blues persist for more than a few days, accompanied by symptoms like irritability or trouble sleeping, it might be worth seeking help from a mental health professional or doctor, as these could potentially be signs of depression.
- In an effort to ease back into your routine, consider practicing workplace-wellness strategies like gradual reintegration, maintaining healthy habits, practicing mindfulness, and setting realistic expectations, all while prioritizing self-care.
