Tips for Balancing Work and Personal Life After Vacation

Ever feel behind after travel? Me too. We all know that maintaining a routine is crucial for productivity and mental well-being. However, family trips and vacations, while rejuvenating, often disrupt these routines. As I sit on my flight back home, the transition from holiday mode to work mode begins.  Here’s what I’m doing to stay productive 👇 Before boarding, I start planning. This includes a quick review of my calendar and emails to identify key tasks awaiting my attention. This initial step helps me mentally prepare for what's ahead without diving too deep into work details. During the flight, I use the time wisely. It's a rare moment of uninterrupted focus. I prioritize tasks, set my goals for the week, and draft a to-do list. This doesn’t mean I delve into intensive work; rather, it's about organizing my thoughts and preparing a roadmap for the week.  Upon landing, the real challenge begins — here's how I tackle it, and how you can, too👇 1. Unpack Immediately. It’s tempting to leave this for later, but unpacking and organizing post-trip clutter is symbolic of getting life back in order. 2. Rest and Reset. A good night’s sleep is essential. It's tempting to jump right into work, but being well-rested improves focus and efficiency. 3. Eat Healthy and Excersize. Travel often disrupts diet and exercise routines. It's easy to land at home and order a pizza or hit a drive-thru for fast food, yet, doing so might bog you down the next day and bleed into the rest of the week. 4. Reflect on the Trip. I've found that taking some time to reflect on the trip, focusing on positive experiences helps in mentally transitioning back to work while retaining the benefits of the break. 5. Prioritize Self-Care. It's easy to dive headfirst into work, but maintaining elements of self-care is crucial. This includes short breaks, focus practice, meditation, or whatever helps you to recharge. 6. Block out "Catch-up" Time. Upon returning from travels, I allocate specific time slots in my schedule to catch up on emails and communications.  This prevents the feeling of being constantly behind or letting things fall to the wayside. 7. Stay Flexible. Returning to routine doesn't mean rigidly sticking to a schedule. Flexibility is key, as unexpected tasks or issues often arise post-trip. 8. Have a Positive Mindset. It can be stressful trying to get back into the swing of things. I remind myself that getting back to routine is a process. A positive mindset makes this transition smoother and more efficient.  Transitioning back to a work routine after a trip is about balance and organization. It involves mental preparation, prioritization, and a gradual shift back to the professional mindset, all while maintaining the rejuvenated spirit gained from the break. Save this post for next time you travel to help you get back into the swing of things once you're home 💪🏼 #routines #routine #habits #productivity

520 emails Just landed back to work after a week off!! Reality check that your out-of-office reply won’t cover you anymore. Here’s how I make this easier! Because the work didn’t stop while you were gone. 1. Plan Ahead: Before your vacation ends, think about your first day back. What’s waiting for you, and how will you approach it? 2. Ease Into It: Don’t book your calendar solid on the first day. Give yourself a moment to catch up. 3. Prioritize: Identify what needs your attention first. Not everything is urgent. 4. Share Insights: If your time off gave you new ideas, share them. Fresh perspectives are valuable. 5. Incorporate Balance: Try to keep some of your vacation habits alive. If reading more or walking helped you relax, keep it up. 👇 How do you transition back to work without losing your vacation calm? PS- I’ll be out at #NAWBForum this weekend who’s going?

Here is more "Wisdom from Emma" (my 11 year old daughter). It's less wisdom from her as it is a realization of social pressures of productivity and the inability of so many of us to rest and recover. High performers have trouble putting the work down so that they enjoy vacation. Some of my more senior level clients have found a way to let go and not feel the urge or guilt to work while on vacation or on a weekend. This pattern, at least in the United States, starts at a young age. Emma, who just started 6th grade panicked before we left for our trip to Europe (first time for the kids). "Mom, I have to bring my work because I am NEVER going to catch up. I'll be behind. I will fail." This pressure is not from us as parents and in fact, my husband and I believe that learning in the classroom is just one aspect and you can learn SO much from traveling and experiences. We want her to stay present to the learning so we have asked her to leave her two ton binder and one ton laptop at home. However, she did get assignments from teachers even after I repeatedly mentioned that we will not have time to do work, we will be busy working outside the classroom - learning, growing, enjoying, being. After years of being THAT perfectionist, anxious, over working person, I have decided to break the pattern for myself, for Emma, and for my clients. How do we begin to get off the treadmill of productivity guilt and be present to rest and recovery? 👉Consider your ramp time back into working The same with coming back from a competition, you cannot ramp immediately back into intense training. Therefore, the plan for Emma or even my clients it to come up with a way to ramp slowly back into work. Emma is taking a day off to get halfway caught up. 👉Completing tasks is only one part of your success Realizing that "work" is just ONE part of the bigger picture of being a high performer. Rest, recovery, and time away can actually make you more creative and thoughtful when you get back. Imagine all the wonderful ideas that Emma will have after going to Paris and Germany for the first time! 👉Set Expectations Set clear expectations of your availability with your team and make sure you have teammates that have your back while you are away. In this case, I supported my kids by emailing the teachers and letting them know we would have limited time to do work. 👉Use this opportunity to create a healthy relationship to work Work is always there and guess what? Your to do list will always have items on it - you are a high performer, you have places to go and people to see. Life is lived and learned through our work, our experiences, our rest, and so much more - it is our job to be present and accountable to our life. Time is the only resource you do not renew. So, please remember to leave your two ton binder and one ton laptop at home and enjoy the view from the Eiffel Tower. #restandrecovery #mindsetmatters #performancecoaching

🛬 Overcoming Vacation Blues & Navigating the Return to Work 👩💼 Vacations are a wonderful opportunity to relax and recharge, but… Returning to work after a break can be surprisingly stressful, and many people experience what is commonly known as the "vacation blues." To tackle this post-vacation period successfully: 1) TAKE AN EXTRA DAY OFF OR WORK FROM HOME 🏡 : Give yourself time to ease back into your work routine and catch up on tasks without feeling overwhelmed. 2) BLOCK YOUR CALENDAR ✅ : Use your first day back to catch up on emails, prioritize tasks, and reintegrate into work mode. 3) BE KIND TO YOURSELF 💕 : Recognize that vacation blues are a normal reaction to returning to work and will likely fade with time. 4) REFLECT ON YOUR TIME OFF 💭 : Remind yourself of the positive aspects of your break and the benefits it brought to your overall well-being. 5) PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION 🏖 : Having something to look forward to helps alleviate the post-vacation blues. By creating a vision for your next adventure, you can bring excitement and extra motivation to your daily routine! It's okay to feel a little off after a vacation, but with the right approach and a bit of self-compassion, you can overcome these vacation blues and smoothly acclimate to your daily routine. ✨ Keep planning ahead, being organized, and acknowledging that these feelings are entirely normal. Have you ever experienced the vacation blues, and if so, how do YOU cope with returning to work? Share your tips and stories in the comments below!👇😊 - 🔔 I'm Ann Walsh, SPHR, and I'm devoted to professionals like you. - #employeewellbeing #returntowork #linkedin #worklifebalance