Beating the Post-Vacation Blues

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss.

You just got back from sipping margaritas on a beach, hiking epic new trails, communing with nature, and/or exploring a bustling foreign city and now reality hits like a shot to the face. Welcome home, the post-vacation blues are here. The transition from “happy vacation” vibes back to “everyday life” can be a bit jarring. Luckily, there are some simple, science-backed ways to transition back to real life without completely losing your vacation high.

Looking forward to a vacation can be the best part. Many vacationers report higher degrees of pre-trip happiness, which then reverts back to baseline upon return¹. This is common and there are many ways to help get past it. First, brace yourself for reentry. Sounds silly, but our minds tend to resist sudden changes in our routines which is why going back to work can be such a shock². Next, sprinkle in a bit of your vacation magic into everyday life. Did you love your morning coffee ritual on holiday? Recreate it at home. Reminiscing about enjoyable experiences can increase overall happiness³. Other options are scrolling through your vacation photos or re-living the memories with your travel companions.

Honestly, reentry can be rough. Don’t expect to be a productivity superhero on day one. Ease into work, prioritize sleep (especially if adjusting time zones), and keep your stress in check. Add in some routines from your vacation and schedule something fun mid-week to break up the week. Anticipation is half the fun, so keep your vacation refresh from fading by thinking about the next one⁴. Vacations might end, but the joy doesn’t have to.

Action: Fight the post-vacation blues with the suggestions above.

Bonus: Plan your next vacation.

Further Reading:

1. Vacationers Happier, but Most not Happier After a Holiday
2. Post-Vacation Blues? Here’s How to Cope.
3. Savoring the past: Positive memories evoke value representations in the striatum
4. Well-being and Anticipation for Future Positive Events: Evidences from an fMRI Study