How to Ease Back Into Real Life After Vacation
Keep the relaxed vibe going as you transition back into your daily routine
Laura Gaskill
September 6, 2016
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Waah! Do we have to go back to work? Fight off the post-vacay blues with these 10 tips for making reentry as easy and laid-back as possible — from hosting an end-of-summer party to finding new things to look forward to. Apple cider doughnuts, anyone?
Give yourself some extra reentry time. An entire day (or weekend) is ideal, but that can’t always be the case. If you must return to work immediately, get up early and give yourself a little extra time in the morning to sip your coffee slowly, enjoy a real breakfast and perhaps get a bit of exercise.
Host a vacation-themed party. On your first post-vacation weekend, invite a few friends over for an end-of-summer celebration. Make (or order in) food and drinks that remind you of where you were traveling, and encourage guests to bring photos to share from their own summer trips. Put on some tropical music and let yourself be transported to a summery beach, if only for one more evening.
Listen to ocean sounds while you work. Cue up the relaxing sounds of ocean waves to listen to on your commute to work, or even at your desk. The rhythmic sounds are soothing and can help ease stress you may be harboring as you get back into “work mode.”
Incorporate a vacation ritual into your day. On our family beach vacation this summer, one favorite ritual was pre-dinner drinks and snacks on the deck — even the little ones joined in with sippy cups and goldfish! Once we were back home it occurred to me, why rush right from afternoon activities to dinner prep? We may not have a view of the ocean (or a deck, for that matter) but we can enjoy a few pre-dinner nibbles in the fresh air on our patio and relax together.
Frame some of your favorite vacation photos. Whether you shot them on a pro-style camera or your smartphone, the best shots deserve to be printed and hung up somewhere you can enjoy them every day. Set a rotating arrangement on shelves in the living room, blow up one big shot to hang over your bed or just tack some to a bulletin board — and don’t forget to take a few along to the office.
And if your pictures didn’t come out as well as you’d hoped? Try searching online for photo print plus the name of the place you were traveling and you’re likely to find lots of great options for sale.
And if your pictures didn’t come out as well as you’d hoped? Try searching online for photo print plus the name of the place you were traveling and you’re likely to find lots of great options for sale.
Weave some self-care routines into your day. On vacation it’s easy to indulge in rich meals. But it’s also pretty likely you were enjoying more physical activity (walking, swimming, hiking, sports) than you typically do at home, especially if you spend large chunks of your day at a desk. Help bring yourself into balance by including a few self-care practices in your daily routine. Take a lunchtime yoga class, find a local pool to swim in after work or pack yourself big salads from home instead of eating takeout.
Treat yourself to small pleasures. In your first week home, pick up a few little goodies that make you feel pampered — perhaps a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store, a yummy-smelling bar of soap or muffins from your favorite bakery. Even a small treat can bring a big dose of good feelings!
Get your calendar organized. Going back to work and school is tough enough; don’t make it any tougher by neglecting to check your calendar and note down important dates. Sync calendars with everyone in the household so you’re on the same page, and take the time to sort through that backlog of mail (and email) to be sure you’re not missing anything. Getting organized may not be relaxing, but being organized is a good feeling indeed.
Make a list of all the things you love about fall. After giving yourself some post-vacation breathing space, it’s important to shift gears and find something new to look forward to. Making a list of the things you love most about the coming season can help you look on the positive side — and if you’re having trouble thinking of anything, check out your local paper or news website for ideas about upcoming events and seasonal activities, like apple picking, harvest festivals and art and wine fairs.
Plan your next trip. It’s never too early to start thinking about where you want to go next! And it doesn’t need to be a big vacation — consider planning a weekend getaway within the next three to six months so you have something concrete to get excited about.
Tell us: How do you shift gears when you return home from vacation?
More: Transition Your Porch
From Summer to Fall
Plan your next trip. It’s never too early to start thinking about where you want to go next! And it doesn’t need to be a big vacation — consider planning a weekend getaway within the next three to six months so you have something concrete to get excited about.
Tell us: How do you shift gears when you return home from vacation?
More: Transition Your Porch
From Summer to Fall
Ferguson showrooms are where your plans of a dream home turn into a reality. Ferguson showrooms are the place to... Read More
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I always liked to return from vacation mid-week, like a Wednesday, go to work for a couple days and then have the whole weekend to really catch up. Somehow 5 full days of work after a vacation seems to ruin it, but a couple days is just enough time to talk to everyone about your vacation and get back into your work routine. Then you've got the weekend and it's almost like another little mini vacation.
This is exactly where I am at the moment! I've been home recovering from an accident for 3 weeks and this is my first week back at week and it has been so draining! I'm exhausted and I have a modified version of vacation hangover