Managing your after-vacation workload

You get two weeks of vacation a year, but your workload stays the same. That means your Zen-like state following that restful stretch in Maui is erased by the mountain of work you face in the weeks following your return. Which leaves you wondering: Is a vacation even a thing anymore?

Gregory D. Miller, DO, a psychiatrist with Baptist Behavioral Health, said vacations provide an opportunity to step away from high-pressure situations, gain perspective and focus on other aspects of our lives.

“It’s important to recognize that for many of us, vacations now serve as crucial rest stops along our career journies,” he said.

How to manage work stress after a vacation

Returning to an overwhelming workload after vacation can throw you right back into a state of mental fatigue, but Alicia E. Ayala Laconich, PhD, a psychologist with Baptist Behavioral Health, has a few tips to help you get your tasks back under control.

“There isn't a magic pill to improve your cognitive function,” Dr. Laconich said. “Using your energy wisely and making a few strategic changes to your routine can set you on the right path.”

1. Prioritize. Take some time to figure out your most important tasks. Whether that's making a “cheat sheet” of your top priorities or blocking time on your calendar for different tasks, don’t expect yourself to get everything done at once.
2. Organize. When you feel overwhelmed by a huge task, your anxiety level will spike. You don’t know how to start, so you don’t start anywhere; you procrastinate. Break those large items down into smaller steps. Dr. Laconich recommended creating a flow chart of individual tasks to provide a clearer path of how to get things done.
3. Shift your mindset. There’s a saying, "Don’t sweat the small stuff," and it’s all small stuff. Remember, your inbox is always going to be full. There will never be a time when all of your emails get answered or all your tasks are done. It can help to say "no" or "not at this time" to certain nonessential tasks. There's often a better time and place for these items that can take a backseat while you readjust after vacation.
4. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Stick with a work style that has been effective for you in the past. Did you get more done when you had 30 minutes at the beginning of the day to plan and organize your day? Is there a period of the day when you are most productive? Do you perform better when you schedule regular breaks? Figure out what works best for you and keep doing that.
5. Schedule time for relaxation, eat a healthy diet and exercise. Even though you’re playing catch-up, you’ll work more efficiently if you practice healthy habits for the body, mind and spirit. Even choosing certain snacks, such as berries, walnuts, coffee, dark chocolate or bananas, can help boost your brain power as you dive back into work.

For some people, it might not always be possible or beneficial to entirely unplug while out of office. Each person is different, but it’s important to realize that some people may wind up feeling more overwhelmed than they can manage if they completely disconnect while on vacation.

“A more practical approach might be to set aside designated times during your vacation to check messages and handle any urgent matters that arise,” Dr. Miller said. “This approach allows you to manage pressing issues without entirely disconnecting, helping to minimize the anxiety often associated with returning to work.”