Ease back into your work or study routine after vacation with these 8 simple steps, from preparing your workspace to prioritizing tasks and taking time for self-care.
Feeling that post-vacation slump? Yeah, we get it. Getting back into the swing of things after a break can be…challenging. Whether it’s work or school, readjusting to a routine can feel like climbing a mountain. That said, re-establishing your daily schedule and habits makes getting back into the groove much smoother, and helps you get back to work or study feeling refreshed.
Today, we’re walking you through steps that make the return from a long holiday break a little easier.
- Take a Sufficient Time to Prepare to Return From the Holiday
- Arrange Your Workplace or Study Desk
- Prepare a List of Important Tasks
- Focus on One Task
- Avoid Sources of Distraction
- Take Care of Yourself
- Deal With the Work in Your Inbox
- Prepare a Gift or a Small Reminder From the Holiday
1- Take a Sufficient Time to Prepare to Return From the Holiday
Taking enough time to get ready is super important. It’s one of the most effective ways to make your return smoother.
If you’re traveling, it’s best to get back a little before work or school starts. But even if you’re not hitting the road, give yourself that extra buffer to mentally prepare, organize your stuff, and ease back into the grind. That way, you can approach everything feeling a bit more relaxed and ready to go.
2- Arrange Your Workplace or Study Desk
There’s something about getting back to a tidy workspace, isn’t there? Clearing your desk of old papers or supplies, things you don’t need anymore, can make a big difference. Um, for students, you might want to neaten up your study space. It’s worth organizing your schoolbooks and notes. It makes you more focused.
So, tidy up anything lying around before you get back to it. Then, sort through all those emails, tasks, and messages that piled up. It’s all about figuring out what’s important and tackling those must-dos first.
3- Prepare a List of Important Tasks
After sorting through your priorities, make a list of the most important tasks you need to get done. Start with the ones that need your immediate attention. Ordering those thoughts in that list will help you get started, then prioritize the tasks, setting realistic deadlines for each.
4- Focus on One Task
Often we assume multitasking is the best strategy, but tackling multiple things at once often divides our focus. You end up getting less done in the long run.
Instead, concentrate on one task at a time, set a specific time to finish it. This helps you complete it thoroughly and it will keep you motivated to move on to the next thing on your list.
5- Avoid Sources of Distraction
One of the main things that make it hard to get back into the swing of things is getting caught up in distractions. So, shut down all social media notifications, everything that might pull you away from your work. Switch off your phone. Tell your friends and family that you’re focusing on something. This will help you focus better on work or study.
Staying focused on tasks instead of distractions might seem tough, but it’s worth it.
6- Take Care of Yourself
Sure, you’re back from vacation, but that doesn’t mean you have to ditch all the things you love. In fact, taking time for the things you enjoy is super important. Schedule in some time for fun, like hanging out with friends, watching a movie, exercising, or reading.
Make sure you’ve got a good balance between work, personal life, and social time. Don’t rush things.
7- Deal With the Work in Your Inbox
It can be tempting to dive into work right after a long break, catching up on what you’ve missed during your time off.
You should commit to the official work hours and reduce extra time. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and burned out. What will positively affect your overall performance at work or school.
Committed to set work hours and stick to them. It’s the way to go.
8- Prepare a Gift or a Small Reminder From the Holiday
Spruce up your desk at work or your study space with some little gifts or souvenirs you picked up on your trip.
Those little mementos can lift your spirits and add some freshness and fun to your workspace.
“Getting back into my study routine after the summer was always tough. But making a list of everything I needed to catch up on, then breaking it down into small tasks, made it way less scary. Plus, treating myself to a fancy coffee while I studied definitely helped!”
“After my vacation, my inbox was overflowing. I felt overwhelmed, but I focused on the most urgent emails first and didn’t pressure myself to get through everything immediately. Taking small steps really helped me get back on track.”
FAQ
While you *could* just jump back in, planning can make the transition way smoother. It helps prevent feeling overwhelmed and sets you up for a more productive and less stressful return.
Fact: Absolutely not! Balance is key. Integrating elements of your vacation relaxation into your daily routine can make the transition more enjoyable and sustainable.
So, there you have it—our guide to easing back into your routine after a break. It’s all about baby steps, prioritizing your well-being, and remembering that it’s okay to not be 100% right away. I always find a small desk plant that reminds me of my mountain trip helps me get through the day. What’s your go-to back-to-routine trick?
