How to Beat the Post-Vacation Blues

I recently arrived back from a trip to Amsterdam. It’s rich history, amazing art/architecture and delicious food made for a wonderful vacation. To say I loved every minute of my time away is an understatement. I have already planned (at least mentally) for a return voyage!

Still, it feels quite good to be back and get back to work. It doesn’t hurt that I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Or that I absolutely love what I do. That said, in years’ past, I’ve had difficulty re-acclimating after a few days away. And there have been times, with longer trips, that I have even come down with a case of the post-vacation blues.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever experienced this, you know as well as I do, that there’s nothing worse than coming home from an amazing trip, only to feel out-of-sorts. While it’s true this type of funk doesn’t last forever, there are steps that you can take to mitigate the effects and set yourself up for a smooth return. Read on for some my favorite strategies to ensure a successful segue.

Before you leave:

Be efficient. Get as much done as you can (personally and professionally) before you go. Even though you will no doubt be pressed for time, push yourself to do that last load of laundry, pay your bills, tidy up your desk, and so on. The less unfinished business you leave, the less that will weigh on you while you are away, and the better you will feel you will feel when you return.
Block off “catch up time.” Be it a few hours or a full day, you’ll want to set aside time when you return to ease your re-entry. Plan to take care of your personal needs first. For example, you’ll need to fill the fridge, water the plants, reach out to a family member/friend, and so on. Allocate this block of time to tackle the things that often you don’t have enough time to think about, let alone take care of, during your hectic work week.
Manage your message. Schedule your email’s “out-of-office” message for a day (or even half a day) later than your actual return date. This will give you some breathing room, as well as take away the pressure to respond to everything immediately, upon your return.

During your trip:

Adjust (not abandon) your diet. Please know that I am a big proponent in enjoying every delicious moment away. Often this means a change to the type or quantity of foods/beverages that you consume. By all means eat, drink, and be merry. But do so in a way that is reasonable for you (and your body).
Go outside of your comfort zone. Trying something new will not only enhance your travel experience, but also help you grow as a person. So, go ahead. Put Google Maps aside and ask a random person for directions. Give the local language a try. Venture out and explore the less tourist-y areas. Partake in a sport or activity that you normally wouldn’t try at home. Vacation is not the time to play small.
Capture your experiences. It may seem like your adventures will be indelibly etched in your brain. But even the most precious memories eventually fade. Chances are you always have your phone by your side, so put it to good use. Take photos – of everything! Make a list where you went and what you did each day. Write down what you learned and/or things that inspired you. Don’t forget to grab business cards of your favorite establishments for your return trip or to share with others.

After you’re home:

Up your self-care. Be it a change in time zones, a lack of sleep or disruption to your diet/exercise routine, travel can take a toll on the body. For your first few nights, get to bed a little earlier than usual. If you’ve been lax with exercise while away, slowly re-integrate it into your routine. Pay attention to your diet. Up your water intake and consciously choose foods with plenty of antioxidants. If you’re feeling achy or lethargic, a message might be just what the doctor ordered.
Keep your memories alive. Your vacation may be over, but it lives on when you share it with others. Keep your favorite vacation photos on your phone and at-the-ready so that you can share them with family and friends. Share them socially, on IG or FB. Frame a few photos and place them strategically around your apartment and/or office. Choose one as your screen saver.
Start planning your next trip. A recent study found that while travel makes us happier, it doesn’t take long for us to return to our baseline level of happiness – or even dip below. (Yikes!) However, the same study showed that most trip planners experience an immediate uptick in happiness when starting to plan a trip. So, my takeaway is this. If you really want to keep the post-vacation blues at bay, re-stock your toiletry bag, check your remaining vacation days, and start to plan your next getaway.