by James Richardson

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: August 04, 2009

Getting back to the "daily grind" after a week of R&R is never easy. Take it from someone who frequently goes on holiday and yet always has that feeling of disappointment in the pit of their stomach at vacation's end.

Through the years I've come up with some effective "coping" strategies that help ease the transition from the beach to the office bureau. Put these into practice next time you return home from a vacation, and I guarantee the transition will be a lot smoother.

SET UP A BUFFER

Much as you may wish to stretch your time at your destination, waiting till the last minute to return home isn't a good idea. Imagine this: exhausted, you get home at nine in the evening, have to unpack, and be up for work at 6:30 the next morning. Not a fun way to end a trip.

It's helpful to have at least a one-day buffer before returning to the office and normal activities. This gives you a chance to rest and adjust to the routines of being at home again. It also gives you an opportunity to unpack. And with the unreliability in air travel, and really any travel means, unexpected overnights are becoming more and more common. Having some extra time "just in case" is a wise thing to do. Finally, a day or more of downtime at home is key to the rest of my recovery strategy.

MAKE SOME MEMORIES

Immediately following your trip, have photos printed. Then invite your family/friends over for dinner and to look at your pictures. If you're really creative, you may even design a PowerPoint slide show or something similar. This gives you a chance not only to reflect on your vacation, but to share your joy with others. It also gives you some social interaction that will help ease the emotional letdown that coming home often fosters.

BE SURE TO HAVE A "TAKE-HOME"

Find a way to incorporate that which you loved most about your trip into your everyday life. Bringing back sand from the beach may not be a good idea (supposedly this is a bad luck charm if you steal from some beaches in Hawaii!). But find something that you most enjoyed about your trip and work it into your everyday life. It could be that you enjoyed a new spa treatment. See if a local spa offers something similar and pamper yourself once a month. It can be as simple as adding photos from the trip to your albums. Or getting them enlarged and framed. Perhaps there was a restaurant that served exceptional cuisine. Before you leave, see if they have a cookbook or basket of novelty foods. One night you can try preparing your favorite dishes from your trip.

A take-home doesn't have to be a tee shirt or gimmicky souvenir. It should be a concept, an event, or something that betters your life in a way not previously considered. Let every trip inspire you to incorporate something new into your life; let it change you for the better!

PREPARE FOR NEXT TIME

Upon arriving home, you'll probably feel a bit emotionally disappointed. This is normal after a wonderful vacation. Besides utilizing some of the aforementioned tips, get ready for your next vacation. My father almost always returned home from vacations with real-estate guides from the destination we visited. While a bit extreme, planning a return can be a great coping mechanism. As you visit with family and friends, you may find that they desire to plan a trip together next time. Planning gives you something to look forward to, and it takes your mind off the disappointment.

And finally, when you do return to your workplace, be sure to share your trip memories with co-workers. While it's never fun to say goodbye to a vacation destination, easing yourself back into reality ensures that it won't be a harsh "slap-in-the-face" transition.

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