: Returning to work after a relaxing summer holiday can be challenging as people adjust to their normal routines.
For many people, the end of summer brings a familiar feeling: the alarm clock rings earlier, the holiday is over, and it is time to return to work.
After days or weeks of late mornings, relaxed schedules, travelling, spending time with family and friends, or simply enjoying some time away from professional responsibilities, returning to the workplace can feel surprisingly difficult.
Even people who genuinely enjoy their jobs can experience what is commonly described as the back-to-work blues.
The feeling can be particularly noticeable in September, when summer begins to give way to autumn and the days gradually become shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. The combination of returning to routines and losing some of the long summer daylight can make the change feel even more significant.
But the return to work does not have to be miserable.
Experts and careers advisers recommend taking a gradual approach rather than expecting yourself to immediately return to full productivity on the first morning back.
Why Returning to Work Can Feel So Difficult
During a holiday, normal work routines are usually replaced by a much more flexible schedule.
You might wake up later, go to bed later, spend time outdoors, travel, meet friends, explore new places or simply decide what you want to do with your day.
Then suddenly, everything changes.
The alarm goes off. There are emails waiting in the inbox. Meetings appear on the calendar. Deadlines return. Commuting may begin again, and responsibilities that were temporarily put aside suddenly become important.
That contrast can make the first few days back feel much harder than expected.
The problem does not necessarily mean that someone dislikes their job.
Instead, it can simply take time for the mind and body to adjust from holiday mode to work mode.
Career coach Sarah Robinson has recommended that workers “ease back in” rather than immediately attempting to complete the most difficult tasks waiting for them. Starting with small, manageable jobs can create momentum and make a large workload feel less overwhelming.
The September Effect
September can make the return to work feel particularly noticeable.
During summer, people in the Northern Hemisphere benefit from longer daylight hours. By September, daylight gradually decreases as the season moves towards autumn.
That means people may leave home in the morning and return home later in the afternoon or evening with less daylight than they were accustomed to during the summer.
For someone already struggling with the end of a holiday, the changing season can reinforce the feeling that summer is over and normal routines have returned.
This does not mean everyone will experience the same emotional response.
Some people actually enjoy September because it brings cooler temperatures, new routines and a sense of a fresh start.
For others, however, the change can create a sense of tiredness or reluctance.
Start With Small Wins
One of the simplest ways to make the first day back easier is to avoid trying to solve everything immediately.
A huge inbox can be intimidating.
Hundreds of unread emails can create the impression that everything is urgent, even when many messages can wait.
Instead of attempting to answer every email immediately, workers can begin by sorting messages according to importance.
Urgent matters can be identified first, while less important messages can be dealt with later.
The same principle can be applied to other responsibilities.
Rather than starting with the biggest and most complicated project, completing a few smaller tasks can provide a sense of progress.
Small achievements can help rebuild confidence and momentum after time away from work.
Do Not Expect to Be at 100% Immediately
One of the biggest mistakes people can make after returning from holiday is expecting themselves to perform at exactly the same level immediately.
The first day back can feel mentally demanding because there may be a lot of information to process.
You may need to catch up with colleagues, read messages, review developments and understand what changed while you were away.
That is why giving yourself some time to adjust can be helpful.
Career guidance from Indeed recommends allowing yourself to become familiar with developments and responsibilities again instead of expecting an instant return to normal productivity.
The goal should be to regain your rhythm rather than trying to prove something on the first morning.
Organise Your Workload
Returning to a messy workload can make the transition much more stressful.
A useful first step is to create a simple list of everything that needs attention.
Separate the list into three categories:
Urgent: Things that genuinely require immediate attention.
Important: Tasks that matter but can be completed over the coming days.
Later: Responsibilities that do not need to be addressed immediately.
This can help turn an overwhelming workload into a manageable plan.
Once priorities are clear, it becomes easier to concentrate on one task at a time.
Trying to handle everything simultaneously can create unnecessary stress.
Speak to Your Colleagues
Another important part of returning to work is reconnecting with colleagues.
If you have been away for several days or weeks, things may have changed.
Projects may have moved forward, meetings may have taken place and new responsibilities may have appeared.
Instead of trying to discover everything alone, ask colleagues or your manager for important updates.
This can quickly give you an overview of what happened while you were away.
Good communication can also prevent misunderstandings.
Indeed recommends asking colleagues or managers about relevant developments after returning from vacation because this can help workers understand changes in expectations, deadlines and projects.
Give Yourself a Transition Period
If possible, it can help to have some time between the end of your holiday and the beginning of work.
Returning from a trip late at night and immediately beginning work the following morning can make the adjustment more difficult.
A transition day can provide time to unpack, organise your belongings, prepare clothes, plan meals and return to a normal sleeping schedule.
It also gives your mind time to recognise that the holiday has ended.
Indeed recommends considering a transition day before returning to work because it can make the change from holiday life to professional responsibilities smoother.
Rebuild Your Sleep Routine
Holiday schedules can easily change sleeping patterns.
Late nights and late mornings may become normal during time off.
Returning to work often requires waking up much earlier.
Trying to change everything overnight can leave you feeling exhausted.
Instead, gradually returning to your normal sleeping schedule can make the transition easier.
Going to bed earlier before returning to work can help the body adjust.
A consistent sleeping routine can also make early mornings less difficult.
Keep Some Holiday Activities
Just because the holiday is over does not mean every enjoyable activity has to disappear.
One way to avoid feeling that all enjoyment has ended is to continue doing some of the things that made the holiday enjoyable.
That could mean taking an evening walk, meeting friends, exercising, cooking something different, watching a favourite programme or planning a weekend activity.
The objective is to avoid creating a situation where life becomes nothing more than work and sleep.
Maintaining enjoyable activities outside working hours can help create a healthier balance.
Take Breaks During the Working Day
Returning to work does not mean working continuously without stopping.
Short breaks can help prevent mental exhaustion.
Getting away from the computer for a few minutes, walking around the workplace or simply having a conversation can provide a useful mental reset.
Research discussed in recent wellbeing literature suggests that short breaks can improve energy and reduce feelings of exhaustion.
Even a short walk during lunch can help break up the working day.
The important thing is to avoid seeing every minute away from your desk as wasted time.
A short, well-timed break can help you return to your work with better concentration.
Do Not Let Your Inbox Control You
For many workers, the biggest source of anxiety on the first morning back is the inbox.
Seeing dozens or hundreds of messages can immediately create a feeling of pressure.
But not every email deserves an immediate response.
Start by identifying messages that require urgent action.
Delete unnecessary messages, organise the rest and respond according to priority.
If several emails relate to the same project, deal with them together rather than constantly switching between unrelated tasks.
This can help restore a sense of control.
Use the Return as a Fresh Start
The end of summer can also be viewed positively.
September provides an opportunity to review professional goals and decide what you want to accomplish during the remaining months of the year.
Perhaps there is a skill you want to develop.
Maybe you want to improve your organisation, take on a new project or build a better relationship with colleagues.
Instead of thinking only about the holiday that has ended, consider what you can achieve during the months ahead.
A return to work can therefore become a reset rather than simply the end of something enjoyable.
When the Feeling Does Not Go Away
Feeling tired or unmotivated for a few days after returning from holiday is not necessarily a sign that something is seriously wrong.
For many people, the adjustment period is temporary.
However, if feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, low mood or overwhelming stress persist for a long time, it may be worth paying attention to them rather than simply blaming the end of the holiday.
Persistent workplace stress can sometimes indicate that deeper changes are needed.
This could involve discussing workload with a manager, taking proper breaks, reviewing working arrangements or seeking professional support where appropriate.
A holiday can provide temporary relief, but it cannot necessarily solve problems that exist within someone's everyday working environment.
A Better Way to Return
The key lesson is simple: do not expect yourself to switch from holiday mode to full-speed work mode instantly.
Give yourself time.
Start with manageable tasks.
Prioritise your workload.
Reconnect with colleagues.
Restore your sleeping routine.
Take breaks.
And most importantly, remember that having difficulty returning to work does not automatically mean you hate your job.
The transition itself can simply be challenging.
Conclusion
The end of summer can bring mixed emotions.
For some people, September represents a fresh beginning. For others, it means saying goodbye to long days, relaxed mornings and the freedom of a summer holiday.
Returning to work after a break can be difficult even when you genuinely enjoy your profession.
The sudden change from flexible holiday routines to deadlines, meetings, emails and responsibilities can take time to adjust to.
The best approach is therefore not to demand perfection from yourself immediately.
Start slowly, complete small tasks, organise your priorities and gradually rebuild your normal routine.
Keep some enjoyable activities in your life outside work, protect your sleep and remember to take breaks during the working day.
A holiday may be over, but that does not mean relaxation, enjoyment and personal time have to disappear completely.
September can instead be an opportunity to return with a clearer mind, renewed goals and a more balanced approach to work.
The summer may be ending, but there are still several months left in the year to make meaningful progress.