5 tips to smoothly 'swing in'.

The suitcases are unpacked, your inbox is already flooding and on Monday mornings you are sitting at your laptop - while your head is actually still on that picturesque terrace in France or that lovely hiking trail in the Austrian mountains.

You try to get yourself going, but it feels stiff. Where has your motivation gone? And why does work, which normally energises you quite well, now feel like a chore?

The short answer: this is normal. And no, it does not usually mean that your work no longer suits you, or that there is 'something wrong' with you. It simply means that you are still in the process of transitioning. And that's okay. Even better: forcing yourself to go full throttle again immediately, while your system is still starting up, is often counterproductive. But... completely giving in to the part of you that doesn't feel like it, wants to keep on freewheeling and keeps on procrastinating, doesn't help you either.

What can you do for a good start?

1. Start with overview, not action

Use your first working day(s) to organise your mailbox and calendar, rather than diving straight into meetings or projects full on - preferably in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed too much. Make sure you get the information you missed during your holiday that you need to do your job well.

2. Sandwich your tasks & don't forget your breaks

When you start again, make sure you have a good mix of practical chores, administration, catching up with colleagues, catching up on reading and heavier thinking. You can't catch up right away and need some time to get back into it. PS Don't forget your breaks either - even if there's a lot on your plate. It is a persistent misconception that we are most productive when we work very hard and long. It is precisely through breaks that your brain can process information properly, keep a better overview and come up with clever solutions.

3. Keep one holiday habit

What did you really enjoy during your holiday period and what could you keep from that? For example, having a quiet lunch every day, going outside more often, 'playing', starting your day without a screen, enjoying a book or podcast ...? That way, you take a piece of holiday spirit permanently into your working week.

 

(For me: walking more often - inside and outside my work 😉

4. Be gentle with yourself

Your attention and concentration need to rebuild. So don't expect to perform at your old pace right away and keep all the balls in the air flawlessly. If you notice that you have judgements about yourself, try to look at them with gentleness or humour and give yourself space to get into your rhythm.

5. Get a healthy balance right away

How can you ensure that even in ordinary daily life, you can often enough feel the way you feel when you are on holiday? What rest, alone-time, inspiration, nutrition, social interaction, exercise, etc. do you need in order to perform optimally and also switch off and refuel after work and on weekends? Of course, you don't have time and energy to prioritise everything, but where is the optimum for you? And do you dare to choose what you need?

 

And what if you really don't get into work after your holidays?

If you were exhausted before you went on holiday, it may well be that you won't be back to normal within a few weeks. If you had stress symptoms before your holiday and immediately or fairly soon suffer from them again, it is important to take action. Investigate what is causing you stress and get help from your manager, HR, the company doctor and/or your GP. We are also happy to assist you if you need more support. At www.lemongrasscoaching.nl/stress-burn-out-coaching/ you can find our vision and offerings.

 

Recognisable?

Are you also struggling to get into it after your holidays? What helps you make the transition back to work and 'normal life' easier? Let us know in the comments! PS Who in your circle who gets to go back to work could use these tips? Feel free to share 😉