It’s the time of year when many families take a break, maybe get away and go on that vacation they’ve been planning.
It can be relaxing and rejuvenating, but the end of a vacation can bring on the blues as you try to return to reality.
“We might be having a good time and then we come back to reality. And then we’re back to the grind,” said psychologist Rachel Gabelman with The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.
Gabelman said there can be a sadness as you return to a regular routine. You might be faced with loads of laundry or stacks of work.
“It can just feel like, ‘Oh, why did I bother taking that vacation at all?’” Gabelman said.
But Gabelman said taking time off is good for our well-being, and you can beat the post-vacation blues by setting yourself up for success before you leave: Clean your house and stock your freezer and pantry.
That way, you don’t have to clean and shop for groceries as soon as you return from vacation.
When planning your trip, set aside a day when you get back so that you can reset before returning to work.
And while you’re on that trip, live in the moment. Let yourself enjoy the time you do have off instead of thinking about having to go back home.
Finally, when you get home, start planning your next vacation, even if it’s just a staycation or weekend getaway.
“We, as, as humans, really like to look forward to things. It is something that might reduce our stress and help us to keep going,” Gabelman said.
Gabelman said to also set realistic expectations for how you’ll feel when you get home.
She said it’s highly probable that you’ll feel down about getting back to reality, so expect that because missing your vacation just means you enjoyed your time off.