4 Ways to Make Sure You Come Back from Holidays Well Rested

With the festive season in full swing, your social calendar may be filling up fast. It goes without saying, but we’ve all had that experience on the first day back at work, feeling more exhausted than when the holidays started.

So, while it can be tempting to go all out and indulge in socialising, overconsumption and general holiday shenanigans, we recommend keeping a few of these strategies up your sleeve to ensure you come back from your break well-rested, refreshed and ready for an epic 2021. 

Set social boundaries

While holidays are generally a time we’re averse to sticking to strict schedules, it’s a good idea to pop all your parties in your calendar now so you can make sure you fill your empty slots with things that fill your cup. That might be blocking out some time to read your book by the beach or in your garden, trying a new festive recipe or going for a swim. Big or small, it’s all about making sure to give back to yourself so you don’t end up socially depleted.

Digital detox

It’s almost become standard practice to show off your holiday snaps, cute floral dresses and fruity cocktails on Instagram in real-time, but think about setting some boundaries around social media. While everyone’s out and about, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being glued to your screen and obsessed with what others are doing.

Social media is great for staying connected, but it can also lead to unhappiness as it encourages constant comparison to your peers. It’s not a no-go, but try and use features of your phone like setting time limits on daily social media usage to let you live in the present and enjoy your own holiday, not someone else’s.

Alcohol-free days

While we're the first to put our hands up for an Aperol Spritz, drinking every day throughout the holidays isn’t sustainable – or healthy. We know that alcohol often leads to a poor night’s sleep and the cumulative effect of a string of bad nights will have you yawning at your desk the first week back.

See what works for you, but follow health guidelines around recommended consumption and think about committing to some alcohol-free days throughout the holidays. Your body will thank you, and who knows, you might even wake up with enough energy to go on that coastal hike you’ve been meaning to.

Ditch the all-or-nothing attitude

It’s tempting to fall into the all-or-nothing trap around the holidays of having one indulgent meal, drink, or day and writing off any intentions of eating or drinking in a balanced way from there onwards. But, just because you had one indulgent lunch, doesn’t mean you can’t have a nourishing dinner.

Pre-holiday, stock up on some reliable nutritious staples that you know you can whip into a healthy meal quickly, like eggs, frozen veg and sourdough. Your microbiome changes within just 48 hours of eating less nutritious choices, so try to keep a balanced approach and mix some healthy choices in there alongside the treats. Come the first day back at work, your body will thank you!

Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

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