5 Tips for a stress-free return to work after Christmas

Returning to work after the Christmas break can be daunting, especially if you have spent the week in your pyjamas and eating chocolate for breakfast.

But if you make a plan, and organise for the week ahead, you can get back into the swing of things sooner than you think.

After a blissful Christmas break, free from e-mails, demanding clients and the phone ringing off the hook, getting back to reality can be an unwelcome thought for some.  And those who often suffer from the ‘Sunday scaries’ , might find the thought of their return quite stressful after the prolonged break.

Maybe it’s the thought of getting up before the sun rises, juggling the school run or dashing to get the train which is making you feel nervy. But if you organise and plan ahead, your return to work can be seamless.

We have rounded-up some ways you can make the return to work easier after the Christmas break.

1) Preparation

When you’re eating mince pies for breakfast, and pigs in blankets for lunch everyday over Christmas, it’s very easy to forget what normality looks like. But preparation is the key to a successful return to work.

Take a couple of hours the night before your return to prepare lunch, lay-out your clothes and find your work fob for a stress-free morning and seamless return.

2) Sleep

After all the socialising and partying, it’s easy to slip into bad sleeping habits. Whether that is staying up late into the night while you meet-up with friends and family, or snoozing in bed for long, lazy mornings, the 6am alarm can be a shock to the system when it’s time to face the music.

But sleep is very important when it comes to your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation effects your whole body, from concentration, appetite and mood – so its vital that you get enough rest.

To make sure you go into the new year feeling fresh, follow these tips to make sure you get enough shut eye:

• Refrain from drinking caffeine past noon – or a few hours before bedtime
• Spend an hour before bed relaxing – such as reading or having a bath
• Avoid heavy meals a few hours before bedtime
• Don’t use electronic devices before you’re going to sleep
• Reduce alcohol intake

3) Organisation

To minimise stress on your first day back at work, getting organised will help. This could mean making a back-to-work plan before you break-up so you remember where you left off, or dedicating your first day back to checking e-mails so you know where you’re at for the week ahead.

Equally, organising your life outside of work – for example prepping your lunch in advance can be a big help on your first week back.

4) Prioritise

When you return to work after a break, it’s more than likely you will have been bombarded with e-mails, phone calls and voicemails during your time off.

But, you only have so many hours in the day so make a plan to prioritise the most important ports of call. Maybe flag the e-mails that need responding to urgently, or time block your day to give yourself some structure.

5) Goals

Think about what you want to achieve for the year ahead – and plan how you’re going to get there. Write them down, and tick them off as you accomplish them to keep you motivated and on track. This will help you to return to the office feeling motivated and excited for the year ahead.

Further reading

Stress at work – How to switch off at Christmas

Stress at work claims – Oakwood Solicitors

Causes and signs of stress – ACAS

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