Returning to Work? Expert Shares Five Tips to Combat Anxiety

Returning to work after a vacation can trigger anxiety for many, a feeling exacerbated by disrupted sleep schedules and the looming return to responsibilities. Heli Järnefelt, a specialist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, offers practical advice to make the transition smoother.

Järnefelt suggests that the key difference between vacation and work lies in rhythm and obligations. To ease the return, she recommends starting to adjust one's sleep schedule about five days before heading back to the office. This involves waking up earlier to gradually realign with the work routine.

For those experiencing significant anxiety, Järnefelt points out that the cause might be work-related stress. She advises individuals to explore and address these underlying issues. Additionally, she recommends taking the first few days back, especially in office jobs, relatively easy to avoid immediate overwhelm.

The article highlights a common scenario: Sunday evening arrives, a meeting appears on the calendar, and the holiday enjoyment, perhaps from watching the World Cup, has thrown the sleep rhythm off balance. This feeling of dread is familiar to many as August weeks approach, signaling the end of leave and the start of work.