Vacations are often a necessary break: we break from our usual rhythm, rest, disconnect (or at least try to), and dedicate more time to ourselves, family, leisure, and well-being. But sooner or later, it’s time to return to routine. So what happens then?
The return to routine can come with a mix of emotions: some sadness, laziness, anxiety, or even irritability. This is completely normal. And while we can’t prevent vacations from ending, we can prepare ourselves emotionally to return with more calm and balance.
Here are some practical tips to face the return without it feeling overwhelming.
1. Accept what you feel
The first step to facing the return to routine: don’t judge yourself if it’s hard to get back. You’re not the only one it happens to, and it’s not a sign of weakness or lack of motivation. It’s simply a logical emotional response: your body and mind have shifted rhythms, and readjusting takes time.
It’s helpful to name what you’re feeling: emotional fatigue, post-vacation blues, lack of focus… Identifying it will help you manage it better.
2. Don’t take on everything at once when returning to routine
One of the most common mistakes is trying to jump back into full speed from day one. This can create more stress than necessary. The ideal is to gradually reintroduce tasks, responsibilities, and schedules, leaving room to adjust more naturally.
Some ideas to do this:
- Avoid scheduling important meetings on your first day back.
- Review your emails and tasks in an organized way, without trying to tackle everything in one morning.
- If possible, return from vacation a day or two before resuming work, to get organized calmly.
3. Keep small vacation pleasures when returning to routine
Aunque hayas vuelto al trabajo, no significa que todo lo que te hacía sentir bien tenga que desaparecer. Even though you’re back at work, it doesn’t mean everything that made you feel good has to disappear. Try to incorporate enjoyable elements from your vacation into your daily routine:
- Did you have unhurried breakfasts? Take an extra 10 minutes in the morning.
- Did you read or take walks every afternoon? Find a time to keep doing it.
- Did you feel more connected with yourself? Set aside time for self-care.
These small actions help maintain emotional well-being and prevent the routine from feeling like a harsh break.
4. Organize your days with realistic goals
During the first few days, it’s common to feel like you “aren’t performing” as before. Concentration may be low, and motivation takes time to kick in. That’s why setting clear and achievable goals can make a difference.
You can use this simple formula:
- 1 urgent thing
- 2 important things
- 3 small or administrative things
5. Take care of your rest and habits when returning to routine
Sleep often gets disrupted on vacation: we go to bed and wake up later, eat differently, and change our routines. That’s why an important part of adjusting is gradually returning to healthy habits:
- Return to regular sleep schedules.
- Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet.
- Do some physical activity (walking, stretching, light exercise).
- Reduce screen time before bed.
These actions help your body rebalance as well, which directly affects your emotional state.
6. Share how you feel
Talking with your teammates, friends, or family about how you’re handling the return to routine and work can help normalize what you’re feeling. Often, you’ll discover that you’re not alone.
Additionally, sharing can create a more empathetic environment at work and make the return easier for everyone.
7. Plan something that excites you
A good way to motivate yourself is to have something to look forward to in the short or medium term: a weekend getaway, a dinner with friends, a new activity or workshop—something that connects you with enjoyment.
It’s not about living only for the next break, but maintaining a balance between work and well-being throughout the year.
Returning to routine after a vacation can be an emotional challenge, but also an opportunity to review how we organize ourselves, care for our well-being, and make everyday life more pleasant.
Taking the time to reconnect, maintain your habits, adjust your expectations, and openly talk about how you feel is key to managing the return with more calm and less pressure.
Remember: it’s not about returning the same, but returning better.