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How To Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

  • June 1, 2017
  • By 50 Shades
  • 32 Comments
How To Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

You know that feeling of overwhelming home sickness when you are away for a lengthy period? That desire to return home to what’s familiar and to see family, friends and pets and get back into your routine. I almost always get this feeling when I’m getting towards the end of my holiday. However as soon as I get home and have caught up with my family and my chores I start experiencing a kind of mild depression, better known as post-holiday blues. This is very common and I suffer from it badly. In fact I’m suffering from it now! So I’m here to tell you how to beat the post-holiday blues.

Don’t despair. The post-holiday blues don’t generally last too long. They are most often just a period of adjustment while you reacquaint yourself with your day-to-day life. Believe me you will soon feel like your old self again and quickly settle back into your normal routine. But that really is the problem. Sometimes our expectations of returning home to loved ones, jobs and routine is a complete let down.

How to Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

Why do we suffer from Post-Holiday Blues?

Post-holiday blues or the comedown is characterised by a downward emotional slide, which is our mind’s attempt to restore our ordinary, and optimal level of functioning. Once the holiday is over, it is back into the same old routine and for some of us an overloaded credit card bill. It’s back too work for most of us and undertaking tedious tasks of making our beds, cooking meals, housework and no more sleep-ins. It’s a jolt back into reality!

Most people get the blues because they live just for the holiday and have put so much time and effort into planning for it. We can tell ourselves, “Oh bugger, we have to wait another year,” or we can be excited that it actually happened.  It’s about learning to focus on the positive.

How to Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

Also during holidays, people pack in many, many more pleasurable activities than they would in their normal lives. I’ve found one way to overcome this is by incorporating one enjoyable activity into your week that will go a long way towards alleviating the blues.

Jet Lag

One of the major contributors to post-holiday blues is the condition known as jet lag. Millions of travellers struggle against this most common sleep disorder that makes you feel like crap for days after you have returned home.

Jet lag actually results from an imbalance in our body’s natural “biological clock” caused by travelling to different time zones. This results in our bodies telling us it is time to sleep, when it’s actually the middle of the afternoon, or it makes us want to stay awake when it is late at night. This has been my husband and my bugbear for the past four days after returning from Italy.

How to Beat The Post-Holiday-Blues

 

The other cause of jet lag is the design of airplanes. Jet lag starts to creep up on travellers once the plane hits altitudes above 6,500 feet when their heart and lungs have to work overtime to supply oxygen to organs, which results in feelings of fatigue and shortness of breath.

However most of the modern aircraft today are designed to keep the cabin at a steady 6,000 feet inside and technology that pumps in better air with more humidity, which combats feelings of dehydration. So my tip is to select a flight on either an Airbus or Dreamliner airplane, because these airplanes are equipped with new technology.

What works for me best on long haul flights is to drink heaps of water, avoid alcohol altogether, don’t eat the awful airline food, take plenty of walks around the aircraft and try to sleep as much as possible, (even though sleeping in those uncomfortable seats can be a challenge!)

How to Beat The Post Holiday Blues

How to get over the Post-Holiday Blues

  1. Take good care of yourself whilst you’re on holidays. There’s no point in going on holidays and absolutely destroying yourself physically and mentally. So make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, drink in moderation and fit in some exercise. You will then come back from your holiday refreshed rather than a total train wreck!
  2. Get back into your sleep routine. Whatever you do, don’t got to bed as soon as you arrive home, particularly if you arrive early in the morning. The trick is to get your body clock back into whack so try to stay awake all day and then go to bed early and try to have a solid sleep.
  3. Get lots of fresh air and sunshine. You’ve probably been doing exactly this on holidays, so make sure you continue that by zipping out of the office at lunchtime or having a brisk walk before or after work.
  4. Don’t fall back into your rut.  Take something good out of your holiday to make some small changes in your life and avoid falling back into your previous workday rut. For example, get up earlier in the morning and go for a walk or go to the gym.How to Beat The Post-Holiday Blues
  5. Give yourself some things to look forward to. You put all that time and effort into dreaming about your holiday, so put some effort into dreaming about your real life. Plan some activities you can look forward to, like attending a concert or show, learning a new language or taking scuba diving lessons.
  6. Book another holiday. If all else fails start planning another holiday. There is nothing more exciting that researching, planning and booking your next holiday. Even a mini-break or weekend away is sure to ward off the post-holiday blues.
  7. Immortalise your holiday. Whether it’s a photo book or photo board, video or travel diary, creating a visual or written record of your holiday, will not only enable you to relive it but provide you with a concrete reminder of the wonderful time you had.

I know this all sounds like good old-fashioned common sense, but believe me many people fall into the trap of returning back to their same dull routine post holiday. The trick is to bring something back from your holiday that you enjoyed indulging in during your time away and trying to incorporate this into your life. From my recent holiday in Italy I have returned with two new things that I would like to learn, and that is the Italian language and how to make my own pasta. Wish me luck!

This post is part of the Lovin’ Life Linky with a Lovin’ Life Team of the “ageing positively” kind who are as keen as I am to promote the Lovin’ Life mindset. The Lovin’ Life Team includes:

Johanna from Lifestyle Fifty
Min from Write of the Middle.
Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit
Jo from And Anyways
and of course me, Kathy from 50 Shades of Age


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By 50 Shades, June 1, 2017 Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
  • 32

50 Shades

Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

32 Comments
  • Rae Hilhorst
    June 1, 2017

    Hi Kathy, terrific points. The longest flight I’ve completed several times is only an eight hour trip. Bali is a three hour trip for me and the same time zone. A win/win x

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      Eight hours is a breeze compared to the 20 hours we just did! Yes that is one of the advantages of living in the West. Bali is so close! I’m still trying to find my brain! :)

  • Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
    June 1, 2017

    It certainly is hard to get back to ‘normal’ especially after the wonderful holiday you had Kathy. I find that looking forward to another holiday helps and also getting back into my fitness routine gets me going.

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      This week has been a struggle Sue. You have to hit the ground running and it doesn’t help when you have jet lag. Last night I slept for about 10 hours so feeling much better today. And yes I have another holiday coming up in September and many other wonderful things planned for the upcoming months. I’m truly blessed! :)

  • Deborah
    June 1, 2017

    A friend of mine always starts planning her next holiday (even if it’s a long time away) when she gets home from her last one. She finds work easier to deal with if she knows that in – 6 months / 1 year – she’s got something else to look forward to.

    I think I’d love a life I feel I didn’t need I needed a have a holiday from and think I’m getting there.

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      We normally have a few planned ahead of time too Deb. But I’m a travel blogger and I guess it is mandatory that I travel to keep my blog going. I can see the benefits of creating a life you don’t need a holiday from, but I think everyone needs a break at least once a year. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Sydney Shop Girl
    June 1, 2017

    I can relate. I’ve just returned home from a trip. Lucky to have escaped the jet lag but I’ve had a bit of a sore throat to deal with. I purposely planned a few things to look forward to on my return and that has helped me get back into the groove of real life relatively quickly.

    SSG xxx

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      Me too SSG. I’m planning a dinner with friends we went on our cruise with so we can reminisce and also going to a show in Brisbane in a few months time. We have also planned to holiday in Vietnam and Laos in September. I think my main problem is coming home to mundane tasks like washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning. Such a drag!! #TeamLovinLife

  • Janet
    June 1, 2017

    I think just being aware of the post holiday blues, really helps me to deal with them when they hit – I can reassure myself that they will soon pass …

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      Yes they do soon pass Janet. I’m already feeling a lot better today now that I’ve recovered from the jet lag and caught up on neglected tasks. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
    June 1, 2017

    I don’t get the post-holiday blues. I’m always so glad to be back in good old Oz and sleeping in my own bed again. I love holidays, but I also love my routine and my home so I guess I’m lucky by the sound of things!

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      Yes I love the thought of coming back home to Australia and seeing everyone, but somehow I still get the blues. I think I have a sad case of wanderlust! :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Min@WriteoftheMiddle
    June 1, 2017

    Hope you’re out of your post holiday blues soon Kathy! Some great tips here though I rarely have to use them cos I don’t get away enough! Last getaway was my South-Pacific cruise which was in December 2016! I’m craving even a weekend away. Soon hopefully! :-) #TeamLovinLife

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      I think I’m pretty much over the blues already Min. I’ve finally got rid of the jet lag and I have so much to look forward to coming up on my calendar. See I took my own advice! Hope you get your weekend away soon too. :)

  • Johanna
    June 1, 2017

    Ohh I so understand what you’re going through. It’s the strangest feeling and you can feel as if you’re going quite mad! Well I do. Because like you towards the end of the holiday I wonder why we put so much effort into it and I just want to get home. Then BAM! Reality strikes. Really connected! :) Welcome home by the way!!

    • Kathy
      June 1, 2017

      It’s so strange because there is so much excitement about going on holiday and you enjoy every blissful moment of it until right towards the end – then boom you want to come home. Coming home then is a big let down and you want to be back on holidays! However I do have a lot to look forward to in the next few months and that will keep me going. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Life Images by Jill
    June 1, 2017

    Yes, I know that feeling. You’ve had a great holiday and then reality and the stresses of life hit back as soon as you get home. I think the best way is to start planning your next getaway, so as to have something to plan and look forward to. Happy travels Kathy, and thank you for the link up.

    • Kathy
      June 2, 2017

      We did have a wonderful holiday and returning home has been overwhelming. We are planning a holiday to Vietnam and Laos in September so we have that to look forward to. Also we are planning taking off in our caravan for around 3 months at the beginning of next year. These plans will certainly keep us busy and motivated. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • jodie
    June 1, 2017

    Kathy—this is so great!
    I’m such a terrible traveler when it comes right down to it—I can’t sleep on planes (without a pill to help) and I always feel so overwhelmed when we get home! But I love being out and about in different places!!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Kathy
      June 2, 2017

      Me too Jodie. Being overwhelmed by all that awaits you back home is one of the things that probably contributes to having the blues in the first place. 5 weeks away was a long period of time and I had so many emails to answer, family and friends to catch up with and mail to sift through that I’ve barely touched the ground this week. Our holiday was fully worth it however! :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Jo tracey
    June 2, 2017

    Great to have you back. The one thing I tend not to really suffer hugely from is jet lag – mainly because I simply don’t sleep on planes. At all. Naturally I try to stay up then until it’s time for bed, so I may have been going for 30 hours without much sleep. I also do everything that I’m not supposed to – I drink alcohol, I eat food, I don’t drink enough water – for some reason my already over active bladder becomes even more over active at altitude. But post holiday blues? Oh man! That’s the worst!

    • Kathy
      June 2, 2017

      I used to not be able to sleep at all on planes too, but the last couple of times I’ve taken a mild sleeping tablet which has really helped. To be able to sleep takes some of the pain away of long haul flights. I seem to be over the sleep deprivation now and also my body clock has adjusted again thankfully. It has only taken 5 days. :)

  • Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
    June 2, 2017

    We usually plan our next trip as we’re travelling home from the current one which gives us something to look forward to. Even if it’s just a long weekend at the coast or a driving holiday up north, it’s great to have another holiday just around the corner. #teamlovinlife

    • Kathy
      June 2, 2017

      That is a very good remedy for post-holiday blues and one which we normally also enforce. I agree that day trips or weekends away are also very therapeutic at regular intervals throughout the year. We all need something to look forward to. :)

  • Lyndall @ SeizeThe Day Project
    June 2, 2017

    Some awesome tips in there Kathy. It’s so easy to fall into a post-holiday rut. It’s great to have something to look forward to – like the next holiday!! :) #TeamLovinLife

    • Kathy
      June 2, 2017

      I think I’ve fallen straight back into my rut Lyndall. Although I must admit my rut is pretty cruisey! Next holidays are always uppermost on my mind. :)

  • Melissa @ All Around Oz
    June 2, 2017

    Fantastic tips Kathy.I came home sick from our last trip so really had the post-holiday blues!

    • Kathy
      June 3, 2017

      Thanks Mel. Why is it that we often return home sick from a holiday? Isn’t it supposed to have the opposite effect? I feel for you. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Pinky Poinker
    June 4, 2017

    Great tips Kathy, especially the ones for jet lag which is a curse.

    • Kathy
      June 4, 2017

      Jet lag is the worst! We suffered for many days after our return from Italy. We are just starting to feel normal again. :) #TeamLovinLife

  • Jan Wild
    June 27, 2017

    I don’t tend to get homesick any more although I love being at home; I just love travelling so much. I really had the blues after our recent trip to Singapore and Penang and I think that was partly because, much as we loved that trip, it was a bit of a ‘second best’ when what we really wanted to do was go to Europe. Well, we have now booked those tickets and are deep in itinerary planning for the next adventure.
    Great tips Kathy x

    • Kathy
      June 28, 2017

      Oh wow that sounds fantastic Jan. The planning of the itinerary is one of the best parts of travelling. The sweet anticipation! Apart from our holiday in September to Vietnam and Laos we’re not sure what we’re doing next year. We’re in the process of buying a block of land and maybe building and moving next year. But I’m sure we’ll fit in something. :) #TeamLovinLife

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