Feeling nostalgic for summer? How to beat the back-to-work blues

Waking up to the sound of an alarm after a summer holiday can be jarring. Just a week ago, life was relaxed with late nights and slow mornings filled with enjoyment and personal time. However, returning to work—especially in September when the days grow shorter—often poses a challenge, even for those who like their jobs. Navigating this transition smoothly can make a significant difference in how refreshed and prepared you feel.

One helpful strategy is to begin by handling smaller, more manageable tasks instead of diving into the most demanding responsibilities right away. According to careers coach Sarah Robinson, starting with “quick wins” helps build momentum, preventing feelings of overwhelm that may arise from facing a large backlog of emails. Counsellor Susan Carr agrees and suggests easing expectations regarding productivity on the first day back, if possible, such as prioritizing email review rather than scheduling a full day of meetings. Tara Humphrey, a primary care leadership consultant, even recommends using an out-of-office reply on the initial day to create some breathing room. Humphrey recalls a colleague who took it a step further by deleting all emails received during the holiday, trusting that important matters would be readdressed later, saying: “He said, ‘if people want me, they’ll come back to me.'”

Incorporating enjoyable elements from holiday experiences into everyday life can also alleviate the return-to-work strain. Susan Carr encourages maintaining the curiosity sparked by travel by exploring local attractions or bringing small pleasures home, such as trying new cuisines like Spanish food. Psychotherapist Dr Joy Conlon emphasizes bringing back a restorative habit from the holiday, whether it’s an evening walk, eating without distractions, reading before bed, or spending more time outdoors. These practices help sustain a sense of well-being amid daily routines.

For some, post-holiday blues signal more than just adjustment challenges—they may point to deeper dissatisfaction with their role. Susan Carr shares from personal experience how she noticed marked emotional distress after returning from a holiday, indicating a need to reconsider her career path. She explains the importance of distinguishing between short-term nostalgia for holiday relaxation and longer-lasting unhappiness. Reflecting calmly and deliberately before making any drastic decisions prevents knee-jerk reactions and allows for thoughtful exploration of possible changes.

Lastly, looking ahead to another holiday can boost wellbeing, not only through the break itself but through the anticipation of getting away. Dr Mark Williamson, CEO of Action for Happiness, highlights research suggesting that active holidays—those involving walking, cycling, or swimming—tend to refresh people more than purely sedentary ones. Additionally, while longer holidays provide a substantial boost, the effect can fade quickly, especially when returning to a heavy workload. Therefore, he advocates for taking shorter, more frequent breaks to maintain wellbeing over time since “the refresh from five days away may feel not far off ten, but you can do it twice as often.”

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More