Do you prefer to ease yourself into it gradually, like slowly stepping into a cold swimming pool, allowing your body to adjust to the temperature at its own pace, or do you just plunge straight into it, trusting that your brain will just accept the sudden change, feeling the shock of it initially but then rolling with it?

So, what are the benefits or downfalls of each method?

The thought of starting work again can be overwhelming. At times, you may even find yourself unable to imagine going back to that normal day to day routine, especially if it took a while to get used to not having it  and you then thoroughly enjoyed the break! The concept of hitting the ground running, so to speak, can be a tricky one. Some swear by it; nothing better than throwing yourself back in at the deep end, and getting on with it. Before you know it, you are back into your routine, having drawn a very clear line between holiday time and work.

But can that feel/sound a bit too much? Could the knowledge of going straight back into full time work lead to a build up of stress (or even dread) as you are coming up to it? If that’s the case, then perhaps the more gradual approach is more for you.

Scheduling in some smaller pockets of work, slowly easing yourself into a more full-on work day one step at a time, can be a way of relieving that pressure and giving your mind and body a chance to adjust to the pace. If working for an organisation/company makes the gradual approach not possible, it is perhaps an option to take a day or too before returning, and using short periods of time to turn your mind to work, organising your diary, planning a meeting, or even just getting a to do list together.

If you are in doubt as to which method may work best for you, try asking yourself how do you prefer to wake up in the morning? Are you someone who likes an energising wake up call, and prefer to get up from that moment and start the getting ready process, or do you opt for a gradual awakening, with a more mellow sound, maybe even allowing yourself a few ‘snooze’ breaks before rising? What I have found unhelpful is ‘thinking’ about restarting work for long periods of time, unless it is related to practical organisation and planning. Abstract thinking about work only seems to give me the illusion that I don’t feel ready for it, that I could do with that extra day, that I may not be able to do a good enough job, and that I will miss those leisurely days too much. So I try to stay away from the overthinking.

The reality is that I look forward to my work (most of the time!) and I have learned that once I dip my feet in again, it will all come back to me and after that brief initial reluctance – perfectly normal and even a sign that the switching off really worked – I will get engrossed in it all and get that passion and motivation right up to where it was.

Now, to be lounging around with a piña colada in hand again would be priceless ? but I will settle for the memory of it for now, safe in the knowledge that every holiday feels even better after some hard work ?