Lisa Benton 

Vacation is over, it is time to return to the real world, and you are dreading it. No matter how much you love your job, it can still be hard to put yourself back into the routine when you would rather be on the beach, sightseeing, relaxing, etc. We have put together a couple of tips to help you get back into the swing of things. Take a buffer day This tip is one that starts before your time off starts. If possible, when requesting your time off, build in an extra day between when vacation ends and when you need to return back to work. This will give you a day to get yourself ready for the return to work. Whether that is unpacking, going grocery shopping, meal prepping, or reviewing (but not doing) your to do list, having those tasks done before you return will help ease you in. Make a to-do list Before you just dive right back into work, take a look at what needs to be done, make a list and prioritize your tasks. Many people get lost in just catching up on emails or joining meetings that were already on their calendar and wind up feeling like they are never going to catch up. To-do lists will help with the time management aspect and ensure you do not feel overwhelmed. Connect with your team/supervisor Building off of the to-do list tip, meeting with your team or supervisor will help you to figure out what you missed and what the priorities are upon your return. Take your time You might feel like you need to catch up immediately and make it seem like you were never gone, but that will just overwhelm you. After your wonderful time off, the last thing you want to do is burn out immediately. Reflect on your time off How did you spend your time off? Did you find yourself reading, hiking, or trying new foods? Is it possible to do those things during your regular days off? Finding time in our regular schedules to unwind and do the things that we enjoy can help to avoid burnout and reduce overall stress. Our final tip? 6. Check in with yourself Are you dreading going back to work because you had the best time on vacation or do you dread returning to work any time you have a standard day off? If you answered the latter, you may want to reevaluate your job as a whole. If you find that you resonate with our last tip, we can help. When you are ready to take the leap and make a change in your career or role, contact us . There is no need for the Sunday scaries!