After the time off and the associated sense of freedom, having to return to the pace of work which we maintain all year long, to go back to the unwanted routine and accept the responsibility of work, causes anxiety. It is usually a hard task to face up to. Suddenly timetables appear, demands must be met and sometimes it leads to problems adjusting, irritability, difficulty sleeping, stomach problems and a general state of anxiety.

 

Some people are happy thinking about returning to their work, whilst others on the other hand, are not able to face up to the demands of daily life. What may start off as nothing more than post-holiday blues may be the beginning of depression. According to certain studies, it is an increasingly common phenomenon in the Western world and it is thought that 35% of Spaniards suffer from this type of syndrome. It is characterised by nerves, lack of energy or a feeling of emptiness, and can even take the form of headaches, sweating, diarrhoea or insomnia. These symptoms last a few days but it is not considered to be a mental illness.

 

We must take into account that during the summer period, our normal pace of life changes: the timetable is more relaxed, we undertake more physical activity and eat at different times. Furthermore, we must not forget that going back to work coincides with a change of season which implies shorter days and a gradual deterioration of the weather, factors which usually influence people�s mood.

 

If possible, it is recommended that we spread our holidays throughout the year even if we leave the majority for the summer, this way we can have several breaks. In any case, there are guidelines which can help make the return to work more bearable. In principle, it is best to return slowly to routine, come home a few days earlier, adjust to the new timetable and not just go back to work all of a sudden.

 

On the other hand, it is recommended that we prepare ourselves for the return to work a few days in advance, since at this time of year, the body is still �on holiday� and it takes more effort to get organised. It is important to plan well, be more organised and, of course, also make time for ourselves and maintain the good habits which we have acquired throughout the summer, such as reading or doing more exercise.

 

Generally speaking, the people who suffer most from post-holiday blues are usually those whose work involves big responsibilities, as well as those who are unhappy with the job they do, either because they don�t see a way out or because they don�t feel involved in what they do. However, this syndrome may also be brought on by personal or family circumstances, for in some cases, returning to the usual routine at home means going back to conflictive situations which will be reflected in going back to work.

 

It is normal that in changing from a pleasant situation to another less pleasant situation, the body will react, but it is important to understand that holidays are just one part of the year that is over. From now on we can make the most of weekends as free time to do other activities without giving in to monotony.

 

Undoubtedly, holidays are a great source of motivation, a time when we can freely choose where to go and what to do. Saying goodbye to this period can be difficult. However, we must learn to motivate ourselves using the little everyday experiences we come across, both at a family level at home and at work with our colleagues.

 

It is common to give our holidays more weight in comparison with the rest of the year. For this reason, before the holidays start, it is sensible to identify the coming year�s projects along with some clear objectives which make sense to our lives. This will help us to see the return to work as a pleasant beginning rather than bad luck and an emotional blow. Implementing these professional and personal projects as well as enjoying the work we do can make the return from our holidays less of an effort. For this reason, when someone finds himself lacking in motivation and without the energy to tackle the year ahead, it is fundamental that they visualize the objectives that they have set and in this way, things like having to get up early and not having as much free time will be more bearable. It is advisable to remember that work is not an enemy but a tool which enables us to live and earn money for next year�s holiday.