by Olivia Emisar

Created on: October 24, 2009

Vacation Blues

I am smiling as I write this article, the serendipity of it all amazes me since no more than 5 minutes ago, the family was discussing travel plans for next summer. Are you familiar with people who say "I need a vacation to recover from my vacation"? I have been one of those people in the past and learned quickly that "being there" was not as important as enjoying the ride along the way.

Follow these simple steps to enjoy a relaxing vacation, come back rejuvenated and ready to start work with a positive attitude.

BEFORE

*1. Put your e-mail on "vacation" mode and you won't stress over having to sort through a lot of junk mail when you return.

*2. Suspend your regular mail and have it delivered before the day after you return.

*3. Clean your home, you don't want to come back to a mess or a ton of work right after you had a lot of fun. Make sure that the only laundry you have to do is the one from your vacation.

*4. Empty your fridge before you leave by tossing things that will spoil in your absence or find neighbors and friends that could use the extra milk or vegetables.

*5. Freeze a couple of really good meals, ideally, something you really love to make and eat so it will be ready for you when you get back. This serves two purposes, a) you get to ease into your work week with a minimum of fuss and b) it replaces the vacation mind set with the familiar comfort of home.

*6. Plan to have your last vacation day at home by returning the afternoon prior so you can have 2 nights at home in your own bed.

*7. do not over schedule your vacation, it is better to have a leisurely time enjoying the scenery and staying in the moment, than rushing through several days in an exhausting frenzy of wanting to see and do everything. Choose your activities and be flexible if something else comes up.

AFTER

*1. You are home! What a great feeling! Now keep it going by going to bed at the same time you would if you were going to work the next day and wake up at the same time as you would if you were going to work. This will allow your body to recover from vacation and ease up into work schedule mode.

*2. Since you are up and about early, do the laundry vacation and and re-stock your fridge/pantry for the upcoming week.

*3. Did you take a ton of pictures while you were having fun? If so, print a couple of favorites to adorn your work space and whenever you need to decompress, take a couple of minutes getting inside the picture and remembering how good you felt. It does wonders on heavy days at the office (Or really boring ones).

*4. Go to the office 15 minutes early and organize your day by familiarizing yourself with your scheduled meetings and important projects.

*5. However tempting it might be, do yourself a favor and do not start working late on your first day back, go home at a regular time and enjoy that frozen meal you made before you left for vacation, lounge and relax at home, those frozen meals allow you to work less at home and stretch out that vacation feeling a while longer.

Welcome Back!

Learn more about this author, Olivia Emisar.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.