Today for many people is one of the “very Mondays” of the year. September first, the week in which he back to harsh realityleaving behind the period of relaxation that the holidays entail. These days it’s time to get back to the routine, to the school for the little ones, in short, to our daily life. Why is it so difficult for us to return to our routine after the holidays? “Returning to a routine after the holidays can be quite a challenge for many people, mainly because our minds and bodies associate happiness with days of rest and disconnection from work and everyday life. On the weekend, we are accustomed to a more relaxed pace and have more free time,” says the coach Izmail Baylife and human development strategist and meditation guru.
The expert explains that we must remember that our brain is “lazy”, so having to change again and adapt to a routine is an effortful task, and therefore it tends to resist. “It’s completely normal. The first thing we must do is Observe ourselves and be aware of how we feel. I always invite you to do this in a neutral way, that is, not to fall into the judgments of reason, but to show compassion and, above all, curiosity for what we are going through,” he tells us. We talked to him about the well-known post-holiday blues.
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Is it possible to get sick with the so-called post-holiday syndrome or is it just a myth?
Although there is no consensus in the scientific community regarding the identification of a number of symptoms of the syndrome, there are a large number of people who have certain signs and who have one common element: returning to work after vacation.
Personally, I have come across this at various times, so I worked on it and researched it as I came to the conclusion that it was due to a huge dissatisfaction with my life, which made me so depressed that I wanted to return to the routine. It was nice to know that this happens to many people and that we are never alone in our feelings.
See also: Post-holiday syndrome or urgent job change? Find out with this quiz
What symptoms can alert us that we are facing this problem?
Some of the symptoms include: fatigue, irritability, sadness, difficulty concentrating and low motivation. Other people may also experience reluctance, nostalgia, insomnia (or excessive sleep) and changes in appetite. Even, some can cause physical pain (of the head or muscles) due to muscle tension or stress. While these are not serious conditions, they can be very annoying and uncomfortable.
Are there people more prone to this?
Some authors point out that perfectionists have more chances present the syndrome. Others are more inclined to think culturally, as in countries such as Spain the presence of the syndrome is exacerbated as the holiday period is concentrated in the summer months and therefore tends to be longer than in other systems.
Does the situation we are in at work influence?
Fully. The level of satisfaction a person experiences when returning to a stressful or unloved job can exacerbate the syndrome. If there is a tense climate or an overload at work, the return becomes more difficult. The ideal is to return to an organized and welcoming environment in which we feel comfortable. In my particular case, it is sometimes difficult for me to switch off because I feel completely connected to my work and rather enjoy my professional side very much, but even so, I make sure to plan for weeks during which I take breaks from work.
Also Read: 5 Limitations At Work That Will Help You Become Happier
Can this problem be prevented?
This can be prevented by maintaining some healthy habits while on vacation such as exercising, getting enough sleep, and enriching recreational activities (such as reading, meditation). It also helps to gradually return to work. Remember that the idea is that “let’s crackor trick our brains by gradually moving on. Another recommendation is for maintenance when we get back to work, recreation and entertainment interspersed with our daily work.
How should we approach this, what strategies do we have at our disposal to try to change the situation in the best possible way?
The best is have realistic expectations, make a balanced daily routine and focus on the positive aspects of work. At this stage, it is important to think deeply about our mission or life purpose and how much we agree with them.
In addition, I share a few exercises that I personally apply in my daily life:
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Vomiting in the morning. I write 3 pages or pages by hand automatically, without thinking about what I am writing. After two weeks, I go through them and see if anything can be salvaged.
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Feel, let go, smile. This is the mantra that I use with deep breaths. When you breathe in (feel), breathe out (let go) and smile. I repeat this 5 to 10 times and the benefits begin to be felt.
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Gratitude Journal. Write at least 5 things each day that we are grateful for during the day.
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Meditations. Especially those that allow us to connect with our life mission.