9 Tips to avoid post-vacation depression

The well-known post-vacation syndrome is something that, if it hasn’t happened, will happen to us at some point. Getting back to routine and saying goodbye to relatives and friends who live far away are the perfect combination to get us down before we get back to our daily lives. However, not everything is so bad if we work in the right way to get over the end of the holidays more quickly.

Here in the awesome.club We share some tips that will help you to avoid the post-vacation syndrome and to see life with more excitement.

Although it may seem obvious, practicing some sport can considerably improve your mood, therefore, it helps to overcome post-vacation depression. When you exercise, you release endorphins, which make you feel better. Also, practice reduces stress and relieves anxiety. It could be simple exercises like taking a relaxing walk on a sunny morning or evening, or jogging outside. You will notice a greater impact on your mood.

A short adaptation period is advisable before returning to the work routine. Coming back from vacation a day or two before resuming our habits at home, and mentally preparing ourselves to fulfill our obligations again, will avoid the difficulty of adjusting to our activities.

The fact of not having to wake up early on vacation causes a change in our sleep schedule, consequently, a problem in readapting to our routine. To prevent this from happening, try to follow the same bedtime customs: going to bed at the same time and waking up early as when you’re not on vacation.

Getting back to routine after a well-deserved vacation doesn’t mean missing out on spending time with the people we love, or practicing our hobbies preferred. One of the secrets for not getting discouraged with going back to work is to plan how to use our free time and schedule a weekend as a “reward”.

Having your mind focused on new challenges and goals that generate greater motivation will be effective in avoiding the post-vacation syndrome. In this case, a challenge that can be conquered, both personally and professionally, will be able to broaden our horizons to seek new directions and propel us with more energy and enthusiasm.

The idea behind this trick, so you don’t get discouraged after the holidays, is to regain hope and face the first weeks of routine with more energy. You can start by planning to save money, as well as thinking about the possibilities of your next vacation and, thus, start motivating yourself right from the start, creating in detail the next trip or rest that you intend to enjoy.

Typically, we choose our everyday outfits in shades that reflect our mood; if we feel depressed or maybe a little sadder, we will probably choose gray or dark tones. For this reason, we can play to our advantage by wearing brightly colored clothes to avoid post-vacation depression. Colors like orange, yellow and red promote a more lively state of mind and activate us, as they are stimulants for our nervous system. On the other hand, black and gray give us a feeling of sadness and loneliness.

Food can help us to improve depressive states or the general feeling of discouragement, especially if we select some to speed up the process. According to a study carried out by the Kyung HeeUniversity, consuming fish four times a week decreases the possibility of having depression, especially in women. On the other hand, after an examination carried out by the University of Dakota, it was concluded that eating foods rich in tryptophan, such as turkey, contributes significantly to improving depressive states and regulating stress.

Ours hobbies they go beyond simple entertainment, as they also free us from rigid routine and mental fatigue. According to a study, engaging in any activity that we find enjoyable will help us to reduce negative thoughts and lower levels of depression. Even if we don’t have one hobby established, it’s easy to find new ones that help us lift our spirits, like gardening, knitting, or whatever crafts we enjoy.

And you, what are your tricks to get over the routine after the holidays?