Feeling nostalgic for summer? How to beat the back-to-work blues

The first alarm after a summer holiday can bring a sharp return to reality: the break is over, the inbox is full and work routines are waiting. Even people who enjoy their jobs may find the transition difficult, particularly in September as the days grow shorter.

Career coach Sarah Robinson recommends easing back into work with small, manageable tasks and quick wins. The aim, she says, is to build momentum instead of feeling overwhelmed by a large inbox. Counsellor Susan Carr similarly suggests lowering expectations where possible, perhaps spending the first day handling emails rather than moving straight into a schedule of back-to-back meetings.

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ease back in

Tara Humphrey, a primary care leadership consultant, keeps her out-of-office message on for her first day back when she can. She says this gives her space to catch up. A clear message can also reduce the worry that something important was missed. One colleague took a different approach, Humphrey recalls: he deleted every holiday email and said people would contact him again if they needed him.

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be a bit kinder with your expectations of what you need to do on that first day back in the office.

Carr advises carrying some of the enjoyable parts of a holiday into ordinary life. Cooking food associated with a trip, walking in the evening, eating without a screen, reading before bed and spending more time outdoors can all preserve a sense of restoration. She also suggests becoming a tourist at home by noticing local architecture and buildings that residents often overlook.

Psychotherapist Joy Conlon recommends bringing “one restorative part of the holiday home” rather than trying to recreate the entire break. Carr also encourages people to consider whether work itself contributed to their stress before the holiday, rather than treating only the symptoms of returning to the office.

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Bring one restorative part of the holiday home with you.