Dreaming of that beautiful holiday beach you left behind? Are you facing a mountain of urgent emails and household chores, all while contending with having nothing to look forward to?
As the peak season for summer holidays, July and August saw millions of Brits heading off on domestic and overseas breaks for rest and relaxation.
But with autumn on the horizon, many will be finding those dreamy beach days once again feel very far away indeed. In fact, according to Google trend data, searches for ‘holiday blues’ have risen by an enormous 7200% in the past month, as people contend with the final throes of August and the onset of colder, darker times.
And while studies have found holidays reduce stress and boost your sense of well-being, the thought of returning to your regular routine of work and school when you return can leave you with the post-holiday blues.
We didn’t need to read the latest study to confirm the ‘post-holiday’ blues phenomenon, though. We’ve all felt it; getting home to cold ol’ Blighty with a suitcase of dirty laundry and the prospect of a bulging inbox to zap any ‘holiday happiness’ vibes within moments of touch-down.
But is this phenomenon actually real?
Are The Post-Holiday Blues Real?
According to psychologist and co-founder of UK Therapy Rooms Dr. Daniel Glazer, “The holiday blues isn’t a scientific or medical term or diagnosis but certainly many people experience low mood and anxiety when returning from holiday or during a holiday season.”
This is confirmed by surveys which show that many people do in fact feel down after taking a holiday – with 57% of us experiencing ‘post-holiday blues’.
Dr. Glazer explains how holiday blues can present as “feelings of sadness and low mood around the end of a holiday”, but it’s also possible for these to “present as anxiety and irritability around returning to day-to-day life. This can impact sleep, appetite, motivation and energy levels.”
Why We Get The Post-Holiday Blues
Glazer doesn’t believe there is “one why”; there is likely to be a number of factors.
Firstly, heading abroad can create opportunities for us to release ourselves from the stress of everyday life, routine and day-to-day issues. When we return to this, it can be “a sign that something in life needs attending to.”
Secondly, it can be a connection to “more existential anxieties”, as the start and end of something often holds emotional tension.
“At the beginning of a holiday, we are full of anticipation and by the end, it often feels that time has gone too quickly. A holiday puts us in touch with a reality that everything ends and it can be hard to return to everyday life with that sense of time passing at the forefront of our minds.”
Dr Daniel Glazer explains; “If the holiday blues shows itself more as anxiety and irritability then it can be helpful to use your usual strategies to manage difficult feelings such as exercise, meditation, doing something creative or being in nature.”
What We Dislike Most When We Return From Holiday
Interestingly, Tesco Bank Money recently revealed the things we dislike most when we return from holiday – and (perhaps unsurprisingly) it’s tackling the washing that tops the list! Here’s the top ten…
- Holiday washing (32%)
- Post-holiday blues (26%)
- Having to return to normality (25%)
- Going back to work (22%)
- Unpacking the suitcases (19%)
- Finding a daily routine (19%)
- The unpredictable UK weather (13%)
- Having a pile of post to sort through (12%)
- Not having any food in the house (11%)
- How long it is until the next holiday (10%)
Our ‘post-holiday blues’ can last a considerable length of time after returning from a break, too, with a third of the 2,000 British workers polled admitting to turning to junk foods to try and cheer themselves up. As we all know, this can often only serve to make things worse in the long run.
So, if you want to swerve the biscuit barrel but need some advice on getting back into the swing of things after a break, here some tips on how to shake those post-holiday blues from top health and wellbeing experts.
Unpack Straight Away
Health and wellbeing expert Stephanie Taylor of StressNoMore tells us that “While it might be tempting to ditch your suitcase and put your feet up for days on end when you get back off a break, leaving your bag packed will only delay the inevitable. Instead, try to unpack when you get home, sort through the piles of dirty washing and put your suitcase away.”
After all, the smell of stale holiday clothes isn’t pleasant and will likely make you even more depressed. Instead, wipe the slate clean and embrace a fresh start, fully recharged from your break!
Allow Yourself A Few Days To Get Back Into A Routine
A previous study revealed that many often feel anxious about returning to work following a holiday and take up to three days to return to a normal sleep pattern.
Taylor advises that rather than going straight back to work following a holiday, book a few days off after it to allow yourself to readjust.
However, if you’ve got into a pattern of waking up late, it’s best to set your alarm for a little earlier on those readjustment days so that those early and long workdays aren’t so much of a shock to the system.
Try to use the time to stock up on food, get any chores done or visit your loved ones. It’s likely that once you return to work, you’ll want a few early nights as you get back into the swing of things, so keep those free!
Keep Up Your Holiday Fitness Habits
Did you get into the habit of a pre-breakfast swim? Or perhaps an after dinner walk? We have more time on holiday to get active, not to mention a more inspiring backdrop, and can often find ourselves in a new routine of health and vitality during our time away.
That doesn’t mean to say that when you get back you can’t keep up any new found favourite activities. Not only will it help boost your mood out of that post-holiday slump, but it will get you even fitter and more toned for next year’s bikini season, as health founder of Vavista.com Dr Sally Norton tells us.
Don’t Continue Unhealthy Holiday Habits
On the flipside, when we go away we often change our habits entirely, and not always for the better. Many people stay up late, drink more and abandon routine.
“When you return, it’s important to be mindful about how much you are drinking, especially if you’re experiencing low mood, given that alcohol is a depressant. Consider swapping to mocktails and finding low, or no-alcohol drinks that you genuinely enjoy to ensure you form a healthy habit”, says our old friend Dr. Glazer.
Alongside this, when we’re in holiday mode, plenty of us also stay up later than normal and go without as much sleep. But on our return, it can be difficult to return to our normal routine. This can be exasperated if you’re also experiencing jet lag.
“Sleep is essential for our wellbeing with one study finding inadequate sleep was associated with significantly increased odds of frequent mental distress. Therefore, try to return to routine as soon as possible and make use of pre-bedtime relaxation techniques to ensure you can drift off easier”, Dr. Glazer continues.
Read: 5 IDEAL steps to the perfect bedtime routine
Print Your Pics
“One of the only upsides of today’s digital age is that you will probably come home with a smart phone, packed with photos. Keep the holiday glow alive by getting them printed, rather than clogging up your phone’s memory”, continues Norton.
Dr. Glazer agrees, and tells us that “one of the most rewarding elements of a holiday is the memories we bring back with us. Travelling can offer both life-changing experiences, and even just simple moments of bliss. Scrapbooking, journaling or creating a photo album is a great way to reflect and reminisce on these moments. In fact, crafts like scrapbooking and journaling can provide cognitive benefits, improving memory and providing a form of stress relief.”
He continues; “If you’re not into crafts, another option is simply uploading your memories to social media. This will allow you to show gratitude for your experiences, while also acting as a form of self-expression and relationship-building. However, it’s well worth noting that balance is important here, and time online, especially using social media, should be limited both in length and to content that fulfils you.”
Bring Your Experiences Home
Travelling is a great opportunity to explore new experiences from hobbies, to learning a language or trying water sports- but we often forget about these as soon as we step foot off the plane. But there can be enormous mental health benefits to learning new things.
“If there was something you particularly enjoyed while you were away, such as learning a language, doing a wine tasting course or taking up a hobby, consider introducing it into your day-to-day life when you’re back home”, suggests the experts at UK Therapy Rooms.
Indeed, being proactive and joining a club or taking lessons will make coming home less depressing as you’re introducing elements that made your holiday so memorable into your daily routine and keeping busy doing things you enjoy. Plus, these new things will help you grow your sense of identity and culture, which can be shared and appreciated by others and could even broaden your horizons back home.
Cook Dinner Inspired By Your Trip
“From exotic local cuisines, to just a really nice dinner you had one night, recreating some of your favourite meals from your trip is a great way to continue to bring a little of your holiday home with you. Whether you went to the other side of the world, or had a long weekend somewhere near home, food has a powerful ability to evoke memories and emotions, so preparing something you loved when you were away can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, which will make the transition from holiday to home feel less abrupt”, says the experts at Poem Analysis.
Norton drills home the point; “Loved the fresh grilled fish you had in Greece, the hearty tagines in Morocco or the fresh produce you bought daily at the market in France? Stay inspired by the different flavours and cuisines you sampled on holiday when you get back. Holidays are a great opportunity to shake you out of a food rut, chances are you will have eaten less processed foods and more freshly prepared meals whilst abroad – keep it up”.
Ensure You Have Some Money Left
Taylor points out that “it’s a well-known joke that we often treat foreign currency as if it’s not ‘real money’ when we’re abroad, flittering it away on fancy meals, drinks and souvenirs. And that’s great. After all, you’re on holiday. Yet, as more people struggle amid the cost-of-living crisis, being careless when you’re away could result in financial struggles when you return.”
She recommends ensuring you over-budget ahead of your trip – so you can have a nice and luxurious holiday without any worry and still return home with some money leftover for the essentials.
Nothing spells being domestically downcast like wishing you were back on holiday and then not being able to afford anything.
Read: 6 holiday money mistakes and how to avoid making them
Embrace The New Season
Though it might sound somewhat surprising to us Brits, for many the UK’s varying seasonality is a big positive of being here!
Norton agrees; “So, you’ve come back to a 10 degree drop in temperature… depressed? Don’t be! Rather than looking longingly at the floaty dress that now leaves you shivering, wash and pack away all your summer kit and embrace the change in season, in all its mists and mellow fruitfulness… cosy knits, autumnal shades, shiny leather boots… we’d happily swap sand between our toes for a good walk through autumn’s falling leaves.”
Spend Time With Loved Ones
For some people, heading away abroad is a perfect opportunity to meet new people and build connections. Humans are social animals, used to being part of groups and so time spent with others can be key to our wellbeing.
In fact, it’s been reported that direct person-to-person contact triggers parts of our nervous system that release a ‘cocktail’ of neurotransmitters tasked with regulating our response to stress and anxiety.
“If you’ve come back from a holiday and find yourself feeling lonely or isolated on your return, make sure to plan in time with friends and family. It’s also a great opportunity to share your experiences and show gratitude for your time away”, recommends the experts at UK Therapy Rooms.
Finally… Book Another Break!
“Okay, you don’t actually have to book it, but studies have shown that booking or planning another trip helps refocus you and boost you out of that wanderlust slump. Fiscal funds a problem? Why not start a Pinterest board of all the places you’d like to visit – daydreaming doesn’t cost a penny”, encourages Norton.
The experts at Poem Analysis agree; “Even if you don’t have the money to book anything else so soon after returning, getting some ideas and inspiration for your next trip can make you feel less sad about your holiday ending. Booking a new holiday immediately gives you something to look forward to, and anticipation and excitement can be a strong counterbalance to the feelings of sadness that might arise when you get home”.
Alternatively, “add some mini “escape days” into your routine. Dedicate a day to exploring a new park, museum, or neighbourhood near you that you’ve not spent much time in. These mini-adventures inject a sense of novelty and excitement into your routine, helping you maintain a spirit of exploration, to tide you over until you can go on holiday again”, recommend the guys over at Poem Analysis.
We couldn’t agree more.
The Bottom Line
While the holiday blues isn’t uncommon, it’s always best to be mindful if your symptoms could be a sign of something more serious. Dr Daniel Glazer notes that, “If these feelings interfere with functioning such as they impact significantly on sleep, appetite, work, relationships then that would be a time to seek help.”