The holidays are an exciting time for everyone. You get to take some time off work and enjoy quality time with your loved ones, whether it’s relaxing on the couch or going on a trip. However, the downside of this extended break is the overwhelming workload that comes after. When you return to the office, you may feel refreshed but also swamped by the backlog of tasks. Here are a few tips to help you return to work without feeling overwhelmed.
Before leaving, tie up loose ends — Take some time to wrap up any unfinished tasks that might be on your plate. This includes any projects that might not be due until after you return or small assignments that might not feel particularly time-sensitive. By completing these tasks ahead of time, you can enjoy your time off without the stress of knowing you’ll have to do them when you’re back in the office. Not only will this help you clear your mind and focus on the holidays, but it will also help you start fresh when you return to work.
Add a buffer day — This day can give yourself some time to get your personal life back in order before diving back into work. You can use this day to clean your home, plan and shop for your meals that week and take care of any other necessary tasks. By giving yourself this extra time, it won’t feel as overwhelming to return to the office, and you can focus on getting your work done rather than worrying about everything that must be done at home.
Create a to-do list in order of importance — When you return to the office after a break or a holiday, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many tasks waiting for you. However, diving straight into work without a plan can be ineffective. To make the most of your time, start by setting aside 30 minutes to carefully review all the tasks on your plate. Look at each task’s due date and whether or not it needs to be finished immediately. This will allow you to prioritize your to-do list and ensure you start with the most critical and time-sensitive tasks. As you go through the list, you are also allowing yourself to end the day with assignments that aren’t as overwhelming.
Take your time — You are not alone in feeling stressed about returning to work and you do not need to catch up with everything at once. Remember, everyone is working on getting back into the swing of things and catching up on their workload. Make sure you aren’t neglecting self-care like your morning workout or favorite coffee order with lunch. The slam of post-holiday break will be over before you know it, and you’ll be back to your regular routine.
Returning to work after a break can be overwhelming, but don’t let it prevent you from enjoying your time off. It’s common to feel burdened when you come back to work after a vacation, but in just a few days, things will return to normal and you’ll feel refreshed again. So, remember to set yourself up for success, take the time to restart and, most importantly, enjoy your break.
Happy holidays, #AVtweeps!
