While we all need our must-deserved break for working hard, we have to admit that the moment we return, the stress somewhat doubles from before our vacation because of the overwhelming backlogs and things to catch up on.
So, how do we avoid this pressure and hassle to prevent getting stressed on our first day back at work? Check out these things that you can do either before you go on your getaway or the moment you return to office to lessen the stress:
1. If possible, do the work you can in advance
One of the best ways to avoid stress when you go back to work is to decrease the number of backlogged tasks you have. Try to do as much deliverables as you can before the trip so you will not be greeted with tons of accumulated work the moment you return. More work before the trip, less stress after it.
2. Delegate diligently
If you have capable colleagues in your team or department who can do the work assigned to you while you’re on vacation, make sure to remind and orient them about what they need to do in your absence. If it is not well within your job description to delegate, ask your immediate supervisor about it so they can look for people to be in charge of urgent mattes while you’re gone.
3. Have all the documents in order
It’s easy for your boss or colleagues to forget about your filed vacation because of the fast-paced environment in your workplace. So make sure that you have filed your vacation leaves, and remind your supervisor and your team about your absence in advance so that you all can plan how to effectively do business as usual even without your presence.
4. Disconnect from work during the trip
One sure way to get stressed on your return to office is to get stressed from work during vacation. Unless it is extremely urgent, ignore work-related messages and enjoy your vacation, so that you’ll be fully recharged the moment you get back. Otherwise, that stress will carry over until your return—which may not make you as productive.
5. Return on a weekend
It can be stressful to return on a workday and immediately go back to work the next day. Sometimes we need one extra day to mentally prepare ourselves for office, so it’s ideal to return home on a Thursday or a Friday—just so you can have one more day or two to fully pump yourself up for the up-coming workday.
6. Make a checklist when you return
We cannot stress this enough. Making a check-list of tasks to do is perhaps the best way to decrease stress in work—and this is applicable even if you’re not returning from vacation. It helps you track which task you have and have not done yet, making it easy for you to be more productive. Also, doesn’t it feel a little fulfilling whenever you tick off an item? Makes you feel accomplished indeed!
