Memorial Day came and went a couple of weekends ago and, although I was sick during the holiday, many others were thankfully healthy. Some used the opportunity for a three-day weekend to go get a little R&R in: go to the beach, take a break, spend time with friends and family, and unwind. It’s what happens on Tuesday, after we come back to the reality of our lives, businesses, ups and downs, that can be confusing — the post-vacation blues.
No matter how long or short the vacation, if the life you are living is one you feel you need to escape from, there is going to be some shock coming back. Here’s how you can get back to it and keep the positive charge from your recharge.
1) Housekeeping: Before you leave, clean up. Wash the dishes, tidy the living room, and come back to a home that makes you smile. When you walk into a house that is messy after being in clean hotel rooms or pristine nature, it can kill your post-vacation bliss.
2) Clean the to-do list: Just like you clean your home to avoid coming home to clutter, try to get as much off your plate and handled before you go. It will result in a lower stress return to work and home life to not have quite as large of a mound of tasks to return to. Sometimes, it’s impossible to clear the whole mound. However, clearing just a little bit of it will make a difference in relaxation both during and after your getaway.
3) Spend some time outside: If you had a vacation where you spent most of your time outside, you are likely to feel more “cooped-up” if you stay indoors. Weather permitting, go for a walk, sit on the patio or do something outside to ease the transition. This is especially helpful if you work indoors and are still fantasizing about having your toes in the sand.
4) Visualize: Thumb through your vacation photos. Close your eyes and visualize the happiest times you had while you were away. What can you take from that and apply in your daily life? What can you carry over that will help you source some of the vacation-induced happiness?
When you proactively plan to integrate the vacation experience into your daily life, you will hold onto that relaxation longer and longer after every trip. Give the suggestions above a shot before and after your next vacation and let me know how it goes. What will you add to your pre-vacation prep list to assure you can maintain your restful state when you return? The floor is yours, Carson City.
ABOUT DIANE HANSEN
Diane Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a coaching firm that has helped people worldwide with their businesses, careers, mindsets, and profit margins. She brings to Carson City more than 17 years of experience with a wide array of clients, ranging from top corporations, motivated entrepreneurs and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Her column appears every Monday on Carson Now.
