How to cure the post-holiday blues quickly

Holidays to exotic destinations are finally calling. But apart from ‘accidentally’ missing your flight home, what can you do to minimise the post-trip comedown? 

After just over two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions, taking to the skies — or the wide-open roads — has never been so appealing.

But are we prepared for the potential aftermath of all that fun: the dreaded post-holiday blues?

And will they hit with a vengeance this winter?

Why we get the post-holiday blues

Well, it’s pretty simple, mental health and resilience trainer Donna Thistlethwaite says: “Because holidays are awesome”.

“What’s that saying? The worst day of the holidays is always better than your best day of work,” Donna says.

“It’s one of the reasons many of us do work, and it’s a way to reward ourselves for the nine to five.”

It makes perfect sense that after, say, frolicking on a tropical beach with your family or friends, returning to everyday responsibilities can prove something of a rude shock.

But Donna warns the post-holiday comedown might be hitting harder than usual.

“Our lives have been quite restricted. Now we’ve had a taste of the freedom of holidays, it’s tough to come back from that,” she adds.

Attitude is everything

Fortunately, clinical psychologist and author Dr Tracey Zielinski says your attitude can play a huge part in minimising any let-down.

“If you think ‘my happy time is when I’m on holiday’ and ‘work is horrible, I hate my life’, then that’s how you’re going to feel,” Dr Zielinski explains.

“Of course you’re going to suffer those blues — you’re telling yourself that your life sucks right now because you should be out there in the blue waters or, you know, trekking through Nepal.”

Ease back in

While you might be tempted to squeeze every drop out of your leave, Dr Zielinski recommends giving yourself a couple of days’ grace before you return to work, especially if you’ve been overseas.

“Holidays are exhausting, let’s face it,” Dr Zielinski says.

“You’re exerting yourself, you’re doing all this unusual stuff… and if you’re back at work immediately, you take that exhaustion back with you.”

It also gives your mind a chance to catch up with the fact you’re back home — and not, for example, still riding a camel through the Sahara Desert.

Another tip? Swing into work mid-week, so it’s only three days until the weekend.

Bring back the best bits

What did you love about your holiday? Donna suggests scheduling some of those activities into your everyday routine.

If you enjoyed having a leisurely breakfast and a walk with friends, put it in your diary for the weekend, or as a fortnightly weekday treat.

Loved being at the beach? Plan a day trip, or find a local creek or waterfall to explore.

Create a photo book

Making a photo book of your travels is another great way to prolong that holiday buzz.

“You relive all the good bits and you consolidate those memories when you’re putting it together, so they’re more vivid,” Dr Zielinski explains.

“It will always bring the joy back, every time you pick it up,” she says.

Plan the next one

And the best tip for avoiding post-holiday blues?

Start researching and planning your next adventure — even if you can’t afford it just yet.

That gives you plenty of time to savour that sweet, sweet anticipation, Donna adds.

“My personal ethos is to never come back from holidays without the next holiday booked, even if it’s in 12 months’ time,” Donna says.

Written by Larissa Ham.

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