5 ways to beat the back to work blues
I’ve been back in the office now for two weeks, and I must confess, I am wishing I was still on holiday.
Unsurprisingly, research shows that January is the least productive month of the year. Maybe because we’re all still recovering from that get-everything-done-by-Christmas urgency!
There are a few things you can do to help you beat the back-to-work blues.
Book your next holiday! Planning a holiday gives you something to look forward to, and the sense of excitement and anticipation can help reduce stress. Plus, if you book in advance, you might save money by getting an early-bird discount. If you can’t book a long holiday, consider a long weekend.
Look for the meaning in your work – if you don’t understand how your role contributes to the success of your team or organisation, then have a chat to your manager and see if they can help.
Set yourself some goals that have nothing to do with work. I’ve started learning the piano, and it’s a great way to not think about work. Of course, it has its own set of frustrations, but I’m having loads of fun while I learn.
Take a lunch break every day and do something you enjoy during this break. A few ideas are eat a yummy lunch, go for a walk, catch up with a colleague or a friend, read a novel, watch an episode of your favourite show.
Give your workspace a makeover – move the furniture around, add some photos, buy a pot plant, paint a wall. Obviously, some of these depend on your workplace requirements and where you work, but think about what you can do to refresh where you spend such a large part of your day.
Are you also struggling with the back-to-work blues? What are you doing to help get back into the groove?
