by E K Stapleton

Created on: December 30, 2008

Returning to work after holiday vacation is met with about as much anticipation as a root canal. While you may be dreading the thought of getting back to the daily grind, after your thoroughly enjoyed reprieve, unless one of your holiday miracles was winning the lottery, returning to work is imminent. In order to successfully make the transition from celebration mode back to work mode, you need to shift gears and prepare yourself for getting back to business.

Your preparations for returning to work should begin a few days before you're scheduled to be back on the job. Your body needs adequate time to readjust and get back to your normal routine. Some mental preparation will help as well, especially if you really don't enjoy your job on the best of days. With mind and body working in sync, your return to work after the holidays will be a lot less stressful, and who knows, maybe even enjoyable.

Chances are the holiday season has kept you occupied. With parties and celebrations you have likely put in many late nights, spent a great deal of time travelling, not been following a proper diet, and indulged in more than your fair share of cocktails. Well, the party's over! You can't keep up that pace, right through to your final day of holidays, and expect to just jump back into work, without taking a break in between. To function at peak performance, remain focused and possess enough energy to see you through to the end of the work day, you need to ensure you've given yourself enough time to recharge and regroup. Steps must be taken to reset your internal alarm clock. Get yourself back into the routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time you would if going to work. Get out of those pyjamas, get in the shower and get dressed, even if you're not going anywhere. Give your body the nutrition it needs, and is probably craving by now, by ensuring you get back on track with well balanced meals. As for the baked holiday goodies and alcohol, you know what they say, all good things must come to an end.

It is equally important to mentally prepare yourself for your return to reality. After all the family togetherness, time spent with friends, celebrations and good times, returning to the mundane world of work can be some what of a let down. You need to approach your return to work with a positive mind set. Although you may not be particularly fond of your job, it does serve a valuable role in your life. It keeps a roof over your head, puts groceries on the table, pays

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