Never come back from leave on a Monday

A colleague of mine told me that he never comes back from leave on a Monday. By the end of the first week he ends up exhausted and feeling that he didn’t have a holiday at all! It’s advice that I have followed ever since. If you are just returning after a nice long holiday, use our list of tips on how to ease effortlessly back into the work-groove.

Herewith my tips on how to slide back into “work-mode”…

1. When returning from holiday away give yourself a couple of days at home to recuperate before starting work. In that way you can create some structure at home, tidy up, buy fresh milk and bread and relax a bit before hitting the rate race.

2. Never start on a Monday. You know this one already. If you start on a Wednesday you only have 3 days before a weekend giving your body and mind the time to deal with the shock of back at work.

3. Make a list. Lists help me focus on what to prioritize. There’s usually so much to do that just thinking about it makes you want to head for the hills. Be practical about what needs to be done first, and what you can do.  And then, enjoy the shot of dopamine every time you tick something off the list!

4. Take lunch. Don’t work straight through on your first day. Frequent breaks are crucial for keeping your energy up. I have had 4 breaks already today and it’s only 11:00! But it allows me to keep going.

5. Catch up with people. Walk over to say hi to co-workers rather than just hunching in front of your PC. Or, if you’re working virtually, reach out to them on Whatsapp and Zoom. This is a great opportunity to re-establish relationships and build trust. Share holiday pics, swop stories and make a connection.

6. Do stuff that you enjoy. I have eaten my frog this morning (writing a long proposal) so I can spend some time watching that interesting video. Give yourself “treats” like this throughout your first day (or week!) to keep the energy up.

But wait… that’s not all… Another colleague of mine, upon reading this article shared her top tip for easing back into work.  And here it is: On your first day back, book leave for your next holiday and start planning that trip! That will give you something to look forward to and create motivation.

So, which tip can you apply? And which other tips can you share?

Comments are welcome.