Holiday over? Seven expert tips for how to avoid back-to-work stress

The Importance of Managing Stress at Work

The concept of “hurry sickness” was coined by two top US cardiologists in the 1970s, Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman. They defined it as the consequences of most work environments, which can be frenetic, full-on, fast-moving, unrelenting, and exhausting for many people, especially after some time off. In the UK, the Health & Safety Executive reported that “stress, depression or anxiety” accounted for 51% of all work-related ill-health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill health.

Tip 1: Reconnect with Your Colleagues

On your first morning back at work, use your first hour(s) to reconnect socially with your colleagues, sharing your holiday and other experiences. Work can provide positive and meaningful relationships, and to sustain our health and wellbeing, social connection is essential.

Tip 2: Control Your Workload

Avoid doing your email responses straight away. The large inbox will induce an immediate stress response, and your desire to read all your emails on day one will not only overload and exhaust you, it may also lead to problematic responses that create relationship issues down the line. Instead, look over all your emails casually, highlight and respond only to the urgent ones, and leave the rest for another day.

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Tip 3: Take Short Breaks

Ensure you take a coffee or tea break and lunch each day during your first week back. If you’re office-based, take these breaks with different colleagues and, over lunch, try to leave the office to have your lunch in a park or other outside venue.

Tip 4: Go Home on Time and Avoid Long Hours

When you get home, be active. Don’t flop in front of the TV but go to a gym or out for a run, or treat yourself to a meal out with your family or friends. Let the holiday mode spill over to your home environment.

Tip 5: Don’t Arrange Lots of Meetings

The pace of most workplaces is fast for many people. Avoid arranging numerous meetings to show others that you’re back and up and running. Don’t try to do everything in your in-tray in 48 hours!

Tip 6: Be Tolerant of Colleagues

Colleagues who constantly complain and suggest there is no solution to a problem can create stress, particularly when you have just returned from a wonderful and stress-free holiday. Try to be patient, tolerant, and listen to their diatribe without taking it seriously.

Tip 7: Set Realistic Work Objectives

Avoid setting unachievable deadlines for your work or making unnecessary appointments, and politely say no to things you won’t be able to achieve in your first week back. Instead, focus on setting realistic work objectives and prioritizing your tasks.

Conclusion

Holidays provide an opportunity for recuperation from the stresses of modern work environments, so let’s allow some of this to spill over into the workplace on your return to the office. By implementing these seven expert tips, you can avoid the stress trap and make a smooth transition back to work.

FAQs

Q: How can I avoid feeling overwhelmed by my workload on my first day back?
A: Take control of your workload by prioritizing your tasks and responding only to urgent emails.

Q: What can I do to reduce stress during my first week back at work?
A: Take regular breaks, go for a walk during your lunch break, and prioritize your tasks to manage your workload.

Q: How can I maintain my holiday vibe when I return to the office?
A: Bring a small token from your holiday, such as a postcard or a small memento, and display it on your desk. This can help you stay focused on your positive experiences and maintain a sense of calm.

Q: What are some effective ways to manage meetings and avoid feeling overwhelmed?
A: Limit the number of meetings you attend, and make sure each meeting has a clear agenda and a specific outcome. This can help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.