Post-holiday stress is the syndrome that affects people when they return from their holidays. Resuming daily activities, after switching off for a while, can cause problems of a physical and psychological nature. The condition persists for the first few weeks and is then destined to ease off and disappear. It's only a temporary state of affairs that needs to be tackled in the right way.
Post-holiday stress shows itself through various symptoms. First and foremost is tiredness, since even after a wonderful, relaxing holiday, you can still feel exhausted. This happens because your daily habits change. You go suddenly from having a mind free of excessive worries to one crowded with commitments and appointments to keep. Tiredness, then, becomes a state of mind.
Melancholy, too, is a mood that can be traced back to post-holiday stress. You feel a little sad for no apparent reason, and nothing seems able to shake off the sluggishness of those who suffer from it. Mood swings shouldn't be underestimated either, as they can be a cause of post-holiday stress and spill over negatively into social relationships.
Excessive worry shouldn't be overlooked either: resuming work and school commitments can generate great anxiety, as though whoever has to face them were no longer up to it. Expenses for the home and family can also take their toll, after a holiday spent a little more relaxed, treating oneself to some extra fun and spending.
The main remedy for post-holiday stress is sleeping well. Only those who manage to rest properly and consistently can shake it off quickly and without difficulty. On holiday the pace of life is different and you manage to sleep more, but during the hectic pace of working life, even 6-7 hours of sleep can sometimes seem like a mirage.
Three elements can make all the difference. Minerals, vitamins and antioxidants are essential in your back-to-work diet. Fighting free radicals with good nutrition is rule number one for getting back into the swing of things straight away. Calories should be concentrated in the morning, gradually reducing them towards the evening. Fruit and vegetables are indispensable and should be daily companions at mealtimes and for snacks.
Coming back from holiday and finding yourself straight back at work requires a method to avoid stress. Planning and talking with colleagues, first and foremost. A good relationship with the people in your workplace is fundamental: it recharges you and gives you positive feelings. Having planned goals and knowing how to achieve them is a secret to focusing straight away on work, setting aside melancholy and thoughts of holidays already over, which unfortunately seem so very far away!