Post-vacation depression is a common phenomenon where transitioning back to everyday life and a normal routine can trigger feelings of sadness or anxiety. It can be difficult to adjust to the rigors of everyday life when you’ve just spent days or weeks in a relaxing state of blissful ignorance to the outside world.
If you struggle with post-vacation depression, you’re not alone. Here are some tips for beating post-vacation depression after returning from your holidays.
Gradually Transition Back into Your Routine
If it’s possible, give yourself a day or two at home before returning to school, work, or other obligations. Use this time to catch up on your laundry, do the dishes, and tackle the small tasks around your house rather than jumping right into the large tasks that loom over you. By doing this, you give yourself time to adjust and prepare to return to your busy routine.
Maintain a Vacation Mindset
Incorporate leisure activities and self-care into your daily routine. Go for walks, spend an hour before bed reading, or take the time to cook a meal or have a drink. By doing some of the things that you enjoyed on your vacation in your everyday life, you prioritize yourself and your well-being.
Reconnect With Nature
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If you spent a lot of time outdoors on your trip, you might feel confined when you return to your routine and are inside most of the time. Make intentional trips outdoors by going for walks or hikes, or even sitting in a local park. If you want to take this a step further, you can play “tourist” in your area and visit local attractions like your nearest beach or state park.
By reconnecting with nature on a regular basis, you bring some of that peace that came with vacation home to your daily life.
Relive the Memories
If you took a lot of photos or videos on your vacation, beat the post-trip depression by making a scrapbook or photo album with the material you collected. Add photos, post-cards, or whatever other souvenirs you might have picked up to a scrapbook or shadowbox. Write little notes about the moments you captured on the back of the photos or attach notes to the souvenirs so when you look at them you can remember the great time you had.
Reflect Upon Your Experience
Journaling can be a wonderful way to express your emotions and connect with yourself after a trip. Write about your vacation and spare no detail. A journal is for your eyes only, so take the time to process what you did with your time and how it made you feel. For a more positive spin, write a gratitude list about your vacation and talk about the special moments you had.
Stay Connected with Family and Friends
Vacations often allow us to spend more time with friends and family than we might have on a regular basis, but connecting with our social network is essential to maintaining our wellbeing. Try and connect with your friends and family throughout the week by calling, texting, or inviting them over for dinner.
Conclusion: Post Vacation Depression Is Normal
It’s normal to feel a bit down or sad after an exciting trip. Give yourself time and grace to adjust to being back in your regular routine and try not to feel guilty for having these feelings of sadness.
Practice mindfulness techniques like journaling, go for nature walks, or connect with your loved ones throughout the week to get a taste of that vacation feeling in your everyday life. It may not be a fix-all, but these tips will help improve your mood after vacation and before you know it, you’ll be planning your next trip.
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