Therapy in Chester, NJ
You count down the days and months in advance until you're finally on that summer vacation--your escape from the crazy, stressful, demanding world that we call life. While life is also filled with laughter and beauty, sometimes you just need some time away--away from people, even the ones you love, away from work, away from busy city or suburban life, away from the constant text messages and emails that flood your phone morning through night, away frorm cleaning and cooking, worrying about money, etc. Sometimes you just need a change and a break from everything.
So, finally the vacation comes--you've found peace again. You're waking up to a beautiful sunny day, a stroll on the beach, a room service breakfast, a golden tan, only the sounds of nature, fresh cocktails and seafood, and before you know it, the week you've been looking forward to is already over. It doesn't make sense! How could it have come and gone so quickly? And how on earth do you get back to your regular life after a week of paradise?
It is not easy coming back and readjusting from vacation. Here are some tips on how to bounce back from a great trip and successfully get back to your regular life...and as happily as possible!:
- Just because your vacation is over, doesn't mean you have to welcome back stress. What was it that brought you such peace on your trip? Think of the things that you can bring back home:
- If it was reading a book with your coffee in the morning, continue to do that. Wake up 10 minutes earlier each morning to do this before you head off to work.
- If it was being by the water, make plans to look forward to that involve water--maybe there is a beach or lake an hour or 2 away from where you live--make a plan to go! You'll have this mini day-vacation to look forward to and not quite have to feel like vacation won't happen again for a while.
- If it was having meals made for you, treat yourself to some delivery or meals out--if that's not quite in the budget, especially after splurging on vacation, see where you can save a little money elsewhere to give yourself the room to take yourself out to a breakfast or dinner.
- If it was the quiet, find a nearby place that you can escape to that guarantees some peace and quiet, or invest in some noise cancellation headphones. They really help block out unwanted sounds, especially when you put on some white noise. Put on some ocean sounds, cozy up with a nice book, and you can have an oasis again without having to wait until your next vacation.
- If it was the alone time, be sure to always make this part of your day or week. There is no rule that you have to be an extrovert 100% of the time. Sometimes after a long day of work or even a night of spending time with friends, you want to be by yourself. Not only is that normal, but it is healthy, and you deserve to honor this desire for time by yourself.
- Do a leisurely activity every single day. Yup, you heard right! Every day. Even if with your hectic schedule you could only spare 15 minutes, that is much better than nothing. Get a manicure, read, take a walk, call a friend because you want to, etc. Do something that does not need to be checked off your to-do list--something that makes you happy and that you simply want to do. It makes the day more yours rather than your boss' who tells you what to do all day, rather than your kids who you have to pick up from soccer practice, cook for, and clean up after. It also makes your day happier and less stressful, and it is easier to approach other tasks when it involves something that you enjoy and choose to do.
- Watch and be mindful of your stress levels. Do deep breathing when you feel yourself become stressed or anxious and even as a preventative before the anxiety even arrives. Create boundaries for yourself. If you leave the office at 6 (and your job allows for this), decide that this means that your email-responding window has closed. No more work once you walk out of that office. Give yourself permission after a certain time to hold off on answering text messages until the next day. Allow yourself to shut your phone off if that's doable! When you're trying to fall asleep and your mind starts to wander to work or relationship anxieties, hush those voices and tell yourself that you aren't allowed to think about any of these things until the next day.
- Appreciate all the luxuries and comfort of being in your home environment : your own bed, your workout/eating regime, your friends, the non-suitcase life, and so on.
It is inevitable that it can be difficult to come home from a wonderful vacation and escape from reality. However, it truly is possible to make the transition a bit more gentle. If you're tired, if your work week is a bit more lagging and unproductive, if you're feeling a little blah, forgive yourself, and accept where you're at--this is normal and only temporary. And I could almost promise that this was not your last vacation!
If you are still feeling burnt out and having difficulty transitioning back into your every day routine, I am always here to help!
Call us at Modern Family Counseling at 732-742-0329 for more information about our services or to make an appointment with our therapists!