10 Mistakes To Avoid When Returning to Work After Vacation

What is re-entry anxiety?

Before going back to work after a vacation, you may experience anxious thoughts, worries, sleep problems, headaches, and more. All of these symptoms are very common. Some call this state re-entry anxiety or stress, others — post-vacation blues, and even post-vacation depression.

Why do you feel this way? The abrupt change of routine and having to go back to a stricter set of tasks instead of doing whatever you want make returning to work stressful. 31% of people dread catching up on administrative tasks, 27% find busy work overwhelming, and 26% feel especially anxious about unread emails and messages.

But there are other reasons as well. Some may feel unsatisfied with their vacation and regret going back without a proper reset. Others don’t want to return to an unwelcome work environment.

Is re-entry anxiety normal? Feeling blue and not wanting to go back to work is perfectly normal. Know that it is temporary and will probably stop in one or two weeks. But if the depressive state lingers, it may be a sign of something more. It may mean that you aren’t enjoying your work as much as you used to, and it’s time to consider some changes. It may also be a reason to see a psychotherapist.  

But even if you are returning to the work you like, the process can be very harsh. Here’s what you shouldn’t do to cause yourself less stress.

Mistake 1: Leaving in a hurry

Were you so excited about a vacation that you shut your laptop closed without planning a return? Well, that’s one reason why coming back may not be smooth. On your first day, you may need to tackle new tasks, remember where exactly you left off, and try to tie up some loose ends. 

If you still can, plan your return beforehand.

Mistake 2: Making a harsh transition

When we do leave on vacation, we all want to make the most out of what we got. If you travel, you may even want to postpone heading home till the last moment. But being in mid-air 8 hours before your work starts isn’t such a great idea.

In fact, you should give your mind and body time to recover.

Jet lag isn’t the only thing you need to prepare for. Some extra time between the end of the vacation and the return to work can help you settle, adjust, and accommodate the change.

Do you know what can make a buffer between your vacation and work even better? Adding some mind-trickery to it!

Mistake 3: Settling right into your previous routine

During your vacation, you enjoyed waking up early. But when you return home and go back to work, you get up 5 minutes before the morning call just like you used to do before? Well, one of the most insidious mistakes you can make is to ignore your vacation experience and follow your habitual routine without a change. 

Vacations are so much more than just periods of rest. They can help you reflect on your life, try something new, and learn more about yourself. It all goes to waste if you don’t put what you discovered into practice. 

In fact, we are especially susceptible to trying things differently when we return from a vacation. And who knows, maybe a different routine is exactly what you need!

Mistake 4: Losing yourself

It’s possible that your vacation changed you in more ways than you expected. So coming back to the office, your coworkers wouldn’t even recognize you. But being on this side of the spectrum isn’t good either. 

Try sticking to the middle: don’t neglect everything you’ve learned and experienced during the vacation but don’t forget what your life at home is as well.

Mistake 5: Staying in your shell

Did you update your Slack status to “Leave me alone” as soon as you’re back to work? Closing yourself off and trying to navigate the changes in your workplace alone isn’t a good idea. If you want to ease into work and quickly learn what’s new — simply talk to your colleagues! You will learn the latest news and also make the day go by faster.

Mistake 6: Just winging it

So, you open your laptop on the first day back. You check your inbox and start tackling tasks in the order that they arrived, or maybe even in no particular order, just whatever catches your eye first. Right? Wrong!

If you start working right away, without understanding everything that needs to be done, you risk losing time and not coming around to the most important tasks. Instead, take time to assess tasks that piled up while you were gone and prioritize them.

Mistake 7: Tackling everything on your first day

So you made a to-do list, and it’s probably quite lengthy. What’s the next logical step? 

If you think it’s trying to fit everything into the first day, you’re wrong. You probably won’t finish everything in one day. And even if you do, you risk running yourself dry. That means you will get overwhelmed and tired quicker and start the next day without a smile on your face, to say the least. 

Well, if you shouldn’t jam-pack your schedule the first day, what can you fill it with besides the most urgent tasks? Rest and relaxation, actually.

Mistake 8: Turning into a couch potato

During your vacation, you climbed every mountain, forded every stream, and followed every rainbow? No wonder you don’t want to get off the bed! 

But after resting for a couple of days, you should really go outside or spend some time exercising. Trust us, it will improve your health and well-being!

Mistake 9: Having tunnel vision

When you return from vacation, it’s tempting to ignore everything except the tasks you have at hand. It might be a good initial strategy, but it can also create tunnel vision and even lead to messaging and communication mistakes. For example, you might mention something that has become irrelevant or create unintentional associations with an event you were unaware of. 

For marketers, it’s especially important to take the time and get updated on the latest trends and industry news. Plus, reading makes for a good break in between urgent tasks.

Mistake 10: Walking in someone else’s flip-flops

Following advice is good and all, but taking it at face value isn’t going to help you much. Some things just aren’t for you, and before stepping into someone else’s shoes (or post-vacation flip-flops), reflect on your needs, values, and desires.

Some people prefer to forget about work entirely on vacation or even give a digital or dopamine detox a go. But it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some members of the Selzy team don’t unplug from work, so they never have to truly go back from a vacation.

And this vacation style, although not appropriate for everyone, can be very effective.

In conclusion

Going back to work after a vacation, especially a long or intense one, can be hard. So take your time and follow these recommendations from the Selzy team members:

• Before you even leave on vacation, prepare a to-do list to catch up on after your return.
• Return early and have a couple of days to decompress at home.
• Follow the things you discovered during your vacation but don’t forget what your life was at home and who you are at work.
• Prioritize your tasks and deal with the urgent and important ones first.
• Take it easy the first few days and remember that you probably won’t be able to resolve everything on your first day back.
• Plan breaks during the workday and do something you enjoy after work.
• Find what works best for you and stick to it!