Returning to work after a break can be challenging, and experts suggest strategies to ease the transition and combat the post-holiday blues. Careers coach Sarah Robinson advises against tackling the most difficult tasks immediately. Instead, she recommends starting with small, manageable tasks to build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed by a large inbox.
Counsellor Susan Carr supports this approach, suggesting that individuals be more lenient with their expectations for the first day back, if feasible within their industry. This could involve prioritizing email management over a packed schedule of meetings. "It's about trying to build momentum, because I think sometimes it can just feel overwhelming when you've got a massive inbox," Robinson stated.
Tara Humphrey, a primary care leadership consultant, advocates for keeping her out-of-office reply active on her first day back to allow for necessary headspace. A well-crafted out-of-office message, she notes, can reduce stress by directing inquiries to be handled upon return. Humphrey also shared an anecdote about a colleague who routinely deleted all emails received during a holiday, believing that urgent matters would prompt direct contact. "He said, 'if people want me, they'll come back to me'," she recalled.