Sometimes we come back from holiday more tired than we left. We ticked off the sights, checked email "just for a minute" and tried to catch up on everything we didn't do the rest of the year.
Rest comes in different forms
Not every break restores us the same way. Some people need quiet, others movement, others the people they love or nature. Ask yourself: what tired me most this year? The right rest is often its opposite.
Leave work where it is
- Set a clear out-of-office reply and say who can cover for you.
- Remove the email app from your phone for a few days, or move it off your home screen.
- If you really must check something, choose one fixed hour.
Don't fill every hour
Leave gaps in the plan. An afternoon with nothing scheduled, a book, a nap. Mild boredom is often where the mind finally starts to relax.
A gentle return
If you can, keep a free day between getting back and your first workday. And don't schedule everything for the first morning. Rest deserves protecting even after it ends.
This article is for general wellbeing, not medical advice. If you're struggling, talk to someone you trust or a professional. Get help now.