A dissatisfaction at and with work is one of the main causes of post-holiday depression. Going on vacation shouldn't mean escaping from work.
Anyone who feels permanently unhappy and dissatisfied with their work and/or the conditions associated with it is constantly emotionally drained and on the verge of depression. As such, faced with a recurring and long-lasting scenario of anxieties of this kind, it is important that the vacation period can also serve to reflect on the extent to which our current work does or does not bring us balance, safety, motivation and well-being.
Some tips for managing post-holiday anxiety when you return to work:
– Book 1 or 2 days in advance to return homeIt is important not to return from vacation the day before you start work, so that the feeling of relaxation achieved during the vacation doesn't end abruptly and there can be a gradual readaptation to the routine;
– Start again slowlynot imposing too fast a pace or too demanding tasks;
- Resume (or start) healthy eating and sleeping routines;
- Resuming (or starting) weekly exercise routine. Frequent physical activity helps to manage anxieties and increases feelings of tranquillity and well-being;
– Organize home and workspace before starting again. Clean and organized spaces help increase motivation;
- Don't assume that the daily routine is boring. It's important to manage your weekly time in such a way as to include frequently pleasurable and relaxing activities. If possible, do it every day, regardless of how long it takes. For example, 20 to 30 minutes of daily walking, moments of reading a pleasant book or any other choice that leads to feelings of well-being and relaxation are crucial in our routine. Learning to plan and realize small joys constantly helps to reduce anxiety and increase emotional balance;
– Planning the next trip/holiday(s) - It has been proven that planning a trip increases happiness and motivation;
- It's very important to try to have free time and/or rest during the week and not just during vacations or weekends. And, if possible, take short breaks, spreading them out over the year;
- Do for working on optimismI always try to see the positive side of situations, focusing on what depends on us and appealing to our proactive side and the search for concrete and realistic solutions.
These tips can help alleviate or prevent the aforementioned symptoms and a possible development of depression.