Post-holiday syndrome - Low mood after vacation? How to get back to work stress-free
## Post-Holiday Syndrome: Feeling Drained after Vacation
The low point after a vacation has a name: "Post-Holiday-Syndrome" refers to the phenomenon that people do not recover from their vacations but feel drained and apathetic instead. Those who think they are the only ones experiencing this are wrong. According to psychologist Jürgen Walter, up to two thirds of employees might be affected, reports the psychologist. The post-vacation low cannot always be completely avoided. However, good preparation can prevent stress from coming back right away.
The gradual re-entry is ideally initiated weeks before the vacation. "Pressing tasks should be completed before the vacation," recommends Walter. Strict deadlines can provide the necessary motivation. Even if a project could be completed directly after the vacation, the self-imposed time pressure is worth it. For it often takes twice as long to get back into the swing of things after the vacation. And in the worst-case scenario, the "pending" work is constantly present during the vacation, subconsciously.
Stress-Free Return from Vacation
Walter warns against unnecessary perfectionism. Getting everything off the table can turn into unnecessary stress that needs to be worked off at the beginning of the vacation. His recommendation: Prioritize the truly important tasks and plan time buffers to avoid a crunch before the vacation.
The good planning also benefits colleagues who cover for you during your absence. For Walter, this is the most important factor when it comes to stress during and after the vacation. "You can save yourself a lot of work and trouble by having a good agreement with colleagues," he has found. This includes informing the substitute in a timely and comprehensive manner about important tasks, deadlines, and appointments. Such a conversation is also worth having with your supervisor.
A good absence note is also one of the central factors that decide whether the return will be good or bad. It is often unavoidable that there are hundreds of unread emails waiting upon return. In the best-case scenario, however, colleagues and customers have addressed important matters to the person named in the absence note during your absence and the matter is already taken care of for the returner.
However, those who try to forward incoming emails cautiously during the vacation to the substitute: be careful. Forwarding an email is usually considered processing of personal data, warns lawyer Jan Aufterbeck. And there are strict regulations for this, above all through the Data Protection Basic Regulation. Whoever wants to forward emails needs the consent of the sender.
A Clean Desk after the Break
Some companies actually allow employees to have a blank slate in the inbox during their absence. Mercedes-Benz introduced the "Mail on Holiday" program in 2014. This allows employees to delete emails from the system during their absence. "Senders receive an automatic notification that they should contact the substitute," explains a spokesperson from Mercedes-Benz. "When employees return from their vacation, they start with a clean desk."
For an employee to use the offer, it is not centrally recorded according to the corporate spokeswoman. A company that does not offer such a program should not delete unwanted emails according to Aufeterbeck, but under no circumstances. This also applies if the volume of messages means a significant additional effort. There is no "tolerability limit" when dealing with digital letter piles.
Preventing worry, missing something
Walter considers a middle ground reasonable in this regard. While many psychologists and lawyers insist on separating work and vacation as strictly as possible, the right to rest is legally protected. "Yes, you should disconnect and be less reachable for the boss and colleagues during vacation," Walter emphasizes. However, some people could recover better if they kept a loose contact.
This should not mean being constantly reachable by phone. It can pay off to check messages for a few minutes every day. "Thus, you don't have to worry about missing something and won't be overwhelmed by the many emails at the end of your vacation," he says.
This is a delicate balance, however. Because unexpected problems can quickly undo the relaxation effect during vacation. "You should above all listen to your feelings as to whether and, if necessary, how much contact with the office during my vacation time is still good for me," Walter says.
A variant, also for solo self-employed persons: The most important customers receive a separate email address for vacation, which is redirected to the private inbox. Upon stress-free return to work, Walter often advises getting back into the sleep rhythm of the work week well beforehand.
Even after returning from a vacation, maintaining a low mood can be a challenge. Engaging in recreational activities during a working day can help lift spirits and tackle the post-vacation low. For instance, going for a walk during lunch break or playing a short game can be beneficial.
Furthermore, planning a short retreat or mini-vacation during a busy working period can also help combat the post-vacation syndrome. These mini-breaks provide a chance to recharge and can rejuvenate individuals, allowing them to approach their work with renewed energy and focus.
