For many people, the end of summer brings a jolt: the alarm goes off, the inbox is full and the switch from holiday mode to working life feels sudden. Even when a job is enjoyed, the return can feel tougher in September, when lighter evenings are fading and routines start to tighten again.
Workplace experts say the first few days back are often the hardest, especially after a break filled with late nights, slower mornings and more time with family or friends. Their advice is not to force an immediate full-speed return, but to look for small steps that restore momentum without creating extra pressure.
Start with quick wins rather than the hardest job first
Careers coach Sarah Robinson says it helps to “ease back in” by beginning with smaller, manageable tasks rather than trying to tackle the biggest challenge on day one. The aim is to create a sense of progress, rather than facing a wall of work that feels overwhelming.
She says quick wins can build momentum, particularly if there is a huge inbox waiting. Counsellor Susan Carr agrees, saying people should be kinder to themselves where that is possible in their industry. In practice, that might mean spending the first day clearing emails and catching up, instead of filling it with back-to-back meetings.
Tara Humphrey, a primary care leadership consultant, says she sometimes keeps her out-of-office message switched on for the first day back. She says that gives her headspace, while a clear reply can reassure contacts that she will respond once she is back in the office.
Bring some of the holiday feeling into ordinary days
Carr says it can help to think about what felt restorative on holiday and whether any of it can be carried into normal life. That does not mean recreating every part of a trip, but it may mean keeping one enjoyable habit alive in a more realistic form.
She suggests trying things such as cooking food inspired by where you have been, or making more of the places around you at home. The idea is to keep the curiosity people often have while travelling, instead of seeing familiar streets only as somewhere to pass through each day.
Psychotherapist Dr Joy Conlon, who runs wellbeing coaching service Alive 365, makes a similar point. She says people may benefit from bringing one restorative part of their break back home, such as an evening walk, reading before bed or eating without looking at a screen.
Notice when holiday blues may point to a deeper work problem
The post-holiday wobble is not always just about missing lie-ins or sunny days. Carr says it can sometimes reveal that a person was already unhappy or stressed before going away, and the time away simply made that clearer on return.
She speaks from experience, saying she once returned from a holiday and found herself in floods of tears every day. What seemed at first like ordinary adjustment turned out to be a sign that she needed to rethink her working life. She warns against treating every feeling of sadness as evidence that a drastic career move is needed straight away.
Instead, she says people should consider how long the feelings last and how intense they are. A short-lived slump may pass, but a stronger or more persistent response may suggest something deeper needs attention and reflection before any big decisions are made.
Plan the next break carefully, including more active days
Dr Mark Williamson, chief executive of Action for Happiness, says anticipation matters as much as the holiday itself. Looking ahead to the next break can lift mood, and the type of holiday can also change how refreshed people feel afterwards.
He points to research that suggests active breaks may be better for wellbeing than a holiday spent only by the pool. Walking, cycling, swimming or exploring can make the time away feel more restorative and may leave people feeling better when they return.
He also says the length of a break matters. Longer holidays can give a bigger lift, but the benefit may fade faster because the return feels like a steeper climb. Shorter but more regular breaks, he says, can provide steadier wellbeing gains over time.
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