by J Mock

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 27, 2010

Easing back in to "reality" after a vacation can invoke a mild period of low feeling, unless of course you have just returned from the "holiday from hell" in which case the front door is the most pleasing sight you have seen all week.

If all went well, and upon arriving home you yearn to be back at your travel destination, then it's only natural to develop a drop in the state of mind. With the sudden change from the free-flowing atmosphere we experience on vacation to the normality of our everyday lives it is to be expected.

The few days away are exciting and refreshing, but then it's a return to home-life.To try and ensure the transition is as smooth as can be, there are a few tips for the post-holiday reality check:

* Try to organise any impending affairs, like paperwork, appointments and business issues before you travel otherwise it can play on the mind while you are away, unless you are one of the select few who can completely separate themselves from home life. Sorting out affairs before you travel can allow for an easier transfer into "holiday mode," safe in the knowledge that you have remedied concerns and allow for an easier transition because you do not have to deal with the situation as soon as you return.

* Clean your home before you leave. Returning to a house that is in disarray will only add to the "general" low mood and increase thoughts of the previous week(s) on vacation. On arriving home a clean and tidy property leaves unpacking as a single concern, rather than stepping across the threshold and immediately have to tidy up.

* Don't delay unpacking. Seeing packed suitcases is all too evident that you are home from your travels. If plausible you should allocate a space between unpacking and returning to work, allowing for a gentle transfer from vacation to your employment. Try to allow at least 24hrs before you return to work, for having to step off a plane straight into the workplace can be overwhelming and add to the frustrations of knowing that vacation time is over.

Memories of past vacations, particularly in the post-phase, can play on the mind when you are subjected to the seemingly monotonous routine of everyday life. Surround yourselves with these holiday memories, and plan for the next period of "free time" away from home. Even though travelling can be stressful, those few days of recuperation are what we strive for.

Learn more about this author, J Mock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.