Art, obsession, and identity
When planning time off work, most people focus on the departure. But your return is also important. For example, consider coming back on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. You'll have time to unpack, grab some groceries, and get plenty of rest before work.
However, for others, the evening before is still part of their holiday time, so checking their inbox is a big no-no. In the end, it's important to know which strategy is best for you.
If you’re spending your first day back clearing a backlog, you may be slower at answering newer messages. For this reason, consider setting up an auto-response to new emails, committing to a reply shortly. This simple step will remove the pressure to read and reply to new emails right away.
Some find it helpful to check their emails the evening before, just for some peace of mind and to improve their first-day-back productivity.
Social media can be extremely distracting. To avoid the temptation, keep your phone on silent mode with the screen down. This way you won't get distracted by notifications throughout the day.
During your break, have a look at work-related social media feeds that you use for news and updates in your field. Doing this intentionally during a break will help you resist temptation to check while your mind is looking for distraction during work.
Don't forget to hydrate! Bring a water bottle with you to work and keep it in a visible spot to remind yourself to drink regularly throughout the day.
Your inbox probably collects emails that are entirely unnecessary. From mailing lists that you probably don't remember signing up for, to links to funny videos, these are all major distractions. Be ruthless and delete as many as possible, or archive them to look later.
No matter how busy you are, avoid working through lunch. Doing this will increase stress and reduce productivity. Take a proper lunch break and recharge your batteries.
To stay focused and productive, your brain needs the energy provided by food. Make sure to choose meals and snacks that will keep your body running without energy spikes and crashes.
It can be hard to go back after some time off. We need to feel motivated and that we have a purpose at our jobs. Try to stay positive and formulate your purpose.
Sources: (Forbes) (CareerAddict)
See also: Back-to-school tips for parents
By straightening up piles of paper and setting folders aside, you'll declutter your space and your mind. As a result, you'll be able to manage your time without getting distracted by the mess.
You probably didn't have time to organize your desk before leaving for the holidays. Don't worry—no one is judging you. However, set yourself up for success by tidying up before you start working on anything.
We all know how important a good night's sleep is for focus and performance. So make sure to turn off any screens before bedtime and to get to bed early. You'll be rested and ready for your first day back.
It can be hard to focus, and you might feel exhausted on your first day back. Make sure you don't work extra hours, as it can burn you out. This can also impact your productivity and the quality of your work.
Prepare your lunch and snacks as well. If you don't have time to cook, just throw together a simple salad, and you'll be ready for your first day back.
Music can amp up your mood and fight first-day sluggishness. Listen to music that keeps you from falling asleep at your desk, but also helps you concentrate.
You can still keep the holiday feeling alive. This can be done by taking a walk in a park during lunch, or eating outside. You can also plan to meet a friend after work for some ice cream or drinks.
Human brains can't focus effectively for long periods of time without a break. You need a healthy structure where you focus on tasks for a certain amount of time, and then give your brain some breathing space.
If you've been having lazy mornings for a week or more, then the sudden morning rush can stress you out. Make your morning smoother by picking out your clothes the evening before and putting together your bag.
Known as the Pomodoro Technique, work for 25 minutes at a time, with a five-minute break after each work period. After you’ve completed four of these 25-minute sessions, give yourself a 15- to 30-minute break. You'll fully recharge your batteries.
If you get along with your coworkers, the first day back can be a lot of fun. Plan to catch up with people over a coffee or lunch. However, remember to be respectful of their time and tasks.
Since you’ve set an auto-response message, you don't need to stress about replying to new messages straight away. Instead, set aside some time to read new emails that have arrived. This could be just 15 minutes before a coffee break.
Once you're back to work, set up some goals and how you'll achieve them. The number and type of goals you set will depend entirely on your work, but make sure it's realistic.
Make sure to review your calendar the day before returning to work. You don't want to get caught off guard by any surprises like a canceled meeting or a new event.
As not all emails need immediate attention, cut down on the size of your inbox by triaging them. Consider organizing them in folders that represent the action you need to take.
By the middle of the week, you'll be fully back to your normal work rhythm, while still being rested from your holiday. Use the energy boost to work harder on difficult tasks before the weekend.
Throwing yourself in full force can be a shock and stress you out. You don't want to hurt the quality of your work, so consider taking it easy on your first day back.
Write down the most important things first and cross them off as you get them finished. Stick to one goal at a time. Multitasking should be avoided, as it decreases productivity.
From planning your first day back to reconnecting with your coworkers, check out the following gallery for a smooth return to work.
Tips for going back to work after a vacation
Ease back into work with these post-vacation tips
LIFESTYLE Job
Whether you've had a relaxing holiday at the beach, or a festive one filled with drinks and celebratory gatherings, it's not easy to return to your usual routine. Going back to work after holiday bliss can be a tough transition. With emails to catch up on and meetings to attend, the last thing you need is a stressful return to work. But don't worry: we've got you covered with these post-vacation tips.
From planning your first day back to reconnecting with your coworkers, check out the following gallery for a smooth return to work.