Fully rested: the perfect start after the holidays

Do you struggle to get to sleep after your holidays, feel lethargic and have a harder time concentrating than usual? Even though you were able to recharge your batteries during the holidays? Even if this isn't the case, this challenge is worth doing. Studies show that the refreshed feeling usually lasts only a few weeks. Find out why the “holiday fuel tank” runs out so quickly and what you can do about it – even if it’s been a while since your last holiday and the next recovery refuel is still a while away.

Properly prepared for the holidays

Try your best to complete all your important tasks before you leave work. Otherwise you'll end up taking unfinished to-dos with you on holiday – and they will stop you from really switching off. Also, plan a precise handover. Delegate all tasks that will come up while you're away and designate a contact person to handle ongoing requests. After all, nothing is more energy-sapping than a mountain of unfinished tasks waiting for you straight after your holiday.

Consciously plan your holidays

It's not just your absence from work that needs planning – your holiday does too. First of all, ask yourself what's important to you. When you're on holiday, you shouldn't neglect your own needs. Sometimes it's not that easy, especially when you're travelling with family. That’s why you should discuss things together. Your plans should also leave room for spontaneity and take your arrival and departure into account – this way you avoid unnecessary stress.

When you start your holiday, just let go. Don’t think about your to-dos – it’s best to leave your work phone and laptop at home. But even with private devices, having conscious “offline times” can be beneficial. Last but not least: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Try a new sport or immerse yourself in the culture and meet the locals. Because, as studies show, people who experience a sense of personal growth or do something meaningful benefit longest from their time-out.

Mastering the transition wisely

After your holidays, give yourself time to get back into your daily routine. Even if feels difficult, try coming back from your holiday a couple of days earlier. A transition period makes it easier to start the working week. It could also be helpful to make your first working day a Wednesday or Thursday.

Coming back from holiday earlier can also make sense in other respects. Most people are unaware that their sleep changes when they stay in bed longer. Just two consecutive days of lie-ins is enough to disturb your internal clock. Guess what’s associated with out-of-sync clocks?  That's right, mood swings and dips in performance. So if you regularly go to bed late in the holidays and indulge in the luxury of a lie-in, it’s a good idea to use the last few days of your holiday to move your bedtime forward in 15-minute increments.

Smart energy management

Back from holiday and feeling overwhelmed by an overflowing mailbox, even though you handed everything over so carefully? The more you try to catch up as quickly as possible, the faster your recovery will evaporate. So resist the impulse. Instead, leave your out-of-office message on, sort your mailbox, and order it by urgency.

Little and often

And last but not least: studies show that the refreshed feeling only lasts three weeks – if you're lucky. It doesn’t matter if you’re away for one week or three weeks at a time. So it's better to take shorter, but more frequent holidays. So what are you waiting for? Plan your next outing or mini break to recharge your batteries now.