Ahh, some time off from the office. You finally have days off to hang out with your friends and family, unwrap some presents, drink some hot cocoa, and enjoy the season in front of the fireplace, all cozied up in your favourite blanket with your favourite book. But soon, you’re going to have to go back to work, and maybe the thought of sitting in your dreary office, watching the snow pelt your window outside just makes you want to roll around in your blankets forever. You can’t bear the thought of staring at your screen all day AGAIN, especially after you just had a week or two off to do your thing. Well, too bad. You have to go back to work, and it’s not the end of the world. After all, work can be fun. Here’s how to beat those post-holiday blues.
What’s your favourite thing about the holidays? Is the the smell of homemade cookies? Is it your Christmas tree, all lit up and beautiful in your house? Is it the presents? Whatever it is, there’s likely a physical manifestation of it that you can bring with you to work. Maybe make an extra large batch of your mom’s famous cookies and bring some to work. Share them with your coworkers (just because you want to be at home watching informercials in your Snuggie doesn’t mean you have to be a Grinch) to spread the remains of Christmas cheer. Love holiday decor? Tape a little bit of tinsel on or around your desk to remind yourself of brighter times.
Try not to overload yourself the first week or two back at work. You’re still trying to get back into the groove of working after lounging around for a minute. Don’t volunteer to head some committee you know nothing about, and don’t go out of your way to speed up on projects that you know you have a little bit of extra time for. That being said, definitely don’t slack off and still do all the important tasks you have to do, just remember to keep a little bit of time for yourself and your self care too.
There’s nothing worse than coming into work everyday and facing a messy desk. Use some of your self-care time post-holiday to declutter your desk– not just at work, but also at home. Put like objects with like objects, clean up your desk, throw out any old candy bar wrappers you have stashed inside the drawers, etc. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel when everything is all clean and organized.
So maybe you overloaded on the Christmas dinner with your family, and now you’re really feeling that holiday bloat. No worries– use your time back at work to liven up your habit a little bit. First of all, instead of just sitting around at your desk and wishing you were still on holiday, get up and walk around a bit. Instead of sending an office chat memo to your coworker all the way at the other side of the office, walk over to them and talk to them instead. This helps you get some face-to-face human interaction and breaks your habit of staring at the computer screen all day. Furthermore, take the stairs (if your office isn’t on the 57th floor), and eat healthy. Pack a lunch (this saves money too!) and load it up with some delicious steamed veggies, fruits, and more.
So you really don’t want to go back to your regular routine, eh? Too bland and grey? That’s okay! Switch things up and get out of that depressing rut you’ve been in. Maybe try a new restaurant for dinner with your friends one night, or see a movie you wouldn’t normally be interested in. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, like signing up for a cooking or dance class (although that could help too!). It can be as simple are switching up your regular route to work. Try it! You never know.