Tis the season for the post-holiday blues.
Switching back to work mode after a few days of sleeping in, opening presents and popping champagne can be brutal. But even though the holiday magic spell may be wearing off, you don’t have to go back to work in despair.
“The first week of the year is like warm-up time,” Laith Masarweh, CEO and founder of Assistantly, a virtual assistant staffing company, told CNBC Make It. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be 100% fast. [Just] try your best to be positive and get yourself excited for the new year ahead.”
Try these tips from executives for a smooth return to work after the holidays:
Wake up earlier
It may seem counterintuitive, but waking up earlier than usual on your first day back at work after vacation can help you get back on schedule and alleviate some of the anxiety you may feel upon returning.
Masarweh recommends starting the day with a walk or a walk outside, or a different short exercise, which “will make you think and make you successful.”
If you don’t feel like exercising in the morning, try a five-minute meditation or deep breathing exercise to calm your mind and trigger the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones.
Set realistic expectations
Many people fear returning to work after the holidays can be caused by the mountain of unread emails and the pressure to “hit the ground running,” said Jâlie Cohen, head of global talent and senior vice president at the Adecco Group, a global HR provider.
However, during that first week, Cohen emphasizes that you should have the strength to set clear expectations with your manager and colleagues about the responsibilities you prioritize and the number of meetings you can realistically put together without burning yourself out.
“We’re coming out of the holidays, no one expects you to have read every email and solved every problem that may arise at the end of the year,” he added. “But being proactive in communicating what you’re using and what bandwidth you have when you come back is helpful, because then people know exactly what to expect from you.”
Make time for fun in your schedule
As important as it is to be productive at work after the holiday break, starting the new year should still be joyful and fun.
“I always find that there’s something magical about starting a new year, even at work,” says André Heinz, leader and culture officer at software vendor Celonis. “I try to cultivate that joy by scheduling bonding events with the team, whether it’s dinner or happy hour, where we can talk about what’s ahead of us and what we’re excited about in the new year.”
Having an event on the calendar to look forward to, whether it’s coffee with old co-workers or a team dinner, gives you “something to look forward to” and “can make it easier to get back to work,” Heinz explains.
If all else fails, listen to your gut.
Masarweh explains: “If you realize that you really dread going back to work, it might be time to consider a career change. This is a sign that this job is not right for you.”
Look at:
3 morning habits to help you be happier and more productive at work, according to psychologists
Nearly half of American workers expect a promotion or raise in 2023
7 CEOs in ‘innovative’ and ‘timely’ books everyone should read this season
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