MOTIVATION TRAP: Holiday Blues
Rolf Schmiel The vacation is over. Instead of starting professionally with new energy, many are plagued by bad moods and lack of motivation. According to a Forsa survey, every second person suffers from this phenomenon, known in psychology as "holiday blues."
Holiday Blues: What is it?
It is scientifically proven that in the first days after returning to work, we show symptoms similar to depression. We are in a bad mood, sad, and irritable. This is comparable to a diagnosis known as an adjustment disorder. Holiday blues is the difficulty of having to go full throttle again after a period of relaxation.
Why are we so susceptible to it?
Many people handle the transition from vacation to work life incorrectly. Most people come back late on Saturdays, unpack their suitcases on Sundays, and dive into work on Mondays. However, the body has been tuned to relaxation for weeks. If you immediately go full speed ahead, you will overwhelm yourself.
How can I overcome this post-vacation slump?
Those who are clever organize a gentle return. So, instead of tackling major projects in the first few days, start with a half-day if possible. Another trick is to make the first few days at work particularly pleasant. Perhaps schedule appointments or projects for those days before the vacation that you know you will enjoy and benefit from.
Many people plan to have their job go better after the vacation. How realistic is such a mini-restart after the holidays?
Good intentions are often overrun by everyday work. Therefore, it is important to communicate new ideas directly in the first few days and build bridges to remind yourself of what you planned. Colleagues can also be allies, lovingly reminding us of our resolutions. To stay productive and maintain our performance, we should also carry positive holiday habits into our work routine. These are primarily three simple approaches: getting more sleep, more fresh air, and simply having fun. No boss prohibits going outside during lunch break or laughing occasionally. These three "little things" sustainably increase our energy level and help us stick to our resolutions.
Does vacation really contribute to employee motivation?
Employees do not come back more motivated, but more refreshed from vacation. If they have relaxed for three weeks, slept a lot, taken in lots of fresh air, and had a lot of fun, they are better equipped to handle challenges. It's like in sports: a muscle doesn't grow in tension, but in relaxation! Without vacation, you will long-term destroy every employee.
How do you survive until the next vacation?
There is a Confucius quote: "Find the work that inspires you, and you will never have to exert yourself again." If we do work that does not suit us, we keep fleeing from one vacation island to another. In such cases, consider reorienting yourself. In minor emergencies, sometimes daydreaming helps: when things get annoying, just remember the best moments of your last vacation, and your smile will return.
