How to Survive the Post-holiday Blues

For most people living and working in Spain September means one thing, returning to work or studies after having enjoyed the long-awaited summer break.

This unwelcomed return to routine can cause some feelings of anxiety, sadness, irritability or insomnia that have been called post-vacation syndrome or depression. The syndrome is controversial and depression may be too strong a term for it but an abrupt change in habits can cause havoc in our sleep, eating and digestive patterns. 

ESHA Spain offer you some useful tips to make the return to the grind less painful

  1. If possible, it is advisable to return to the routine of schedules and food, a few days before returning to work so that adaptation is progressive, preventing the change from occurring so abruptly.

  2. Understand that the discomfort we feel is totally normal and transitory until we manage to adapt to our daily routines again, so if you feel sad or out of place, don’t worry. In a couple of weeks at the most, you’ll be back on top of things.

  3. Try to make the return from holidays more bearable by incorporating elements into your environment that transmit good energies. For example, redecorating the place of work or study with things that remind you of the good times of  the summer holidays or that ust give you a good vibe. 

  4. There are still a few weeks of sunshine left. Take advantage of the good weather and dont forget to dedicate some time for yourself every day. It is essential – even if it is only 15 minutes a day – to schedule some time for personal enjoyment. This will help us adjust to the new times of routine and make everyday life more stimulating.

  5. Set short-term goals and challenges that excite you. Thinking that there is a year to go before the  next holiday can cause frustration and demotivation. However, the end of summer becomes more bearable if you plan some weeken getaways, a concert or meeting up with friends to reminisce over the holidays. 

  6. Returning from holiday is a good time to rethink how we want to live and encourage changing some routines and customs that are not beneficial to you and incorporate others.

  7. Plan your first days of work or study well. Don’t get overwhelmed with all the pending things you have to do. Take the time you need to get organized and get up to speed, then prioritize what’s most important and get to work on it.

  8. Do some sport at least two or three times a week. It has been shown that doing sports on a routine basis is good physically and also psychologically to combat stress or sadness. So if you already practiced it regularly, go back to it and if not, it may be a good time to start.

  9. Make sure you get enough rest. It is important to re-regulate the hours of sleep. At first, it can be difficult since in the summer we have more flexible schedules. If so, it may be recommendable to do some relaxation exercises that will help you control stress and have a healthy and uninterrupted sleep.

  10. The most important thing is to maintain a positive mindset when going back to work, studying or looking for a job. Be aware that today, having a holiday is considered a luxury, since many people, for various reasons, do not have the opportunity to enjoy them. Take a moment to be grateful, so no matter how hard it is, smile, make an effort to transmit happiness and you will be able to overcome this stage more quickly and, in addition, you will improve the environment around you.

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