Heading back to work after a well-deserved summer break can feel like a tough climb, especially when the allure of sunny days and relaxed schedules still lingers. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions—many of them less than inspiring.
According to an insightful article from the folks at Forbes, transitioning back into work life often brings "a sense of loss and heightened stress," which can zap our motivation and energy.
But there’s good news, team! We can take steps to ease back into the swing of things and even rediscover our spark.
Here are 7 actionable tips for tackling the "back to work blues" with a fresh perspective:
Ease In Gradually: You’re not a superhero (yet), so give yourself permission to build momentum slowly. Productivity can wait for day (or maybe even week) two.
Focus on What Inspires You: Set your sights on exciting projects, personal growth, or even the next long weekend—anything that brings a little joy to your calendar.
Adopt a Growth Mindset: Challenges are opportunities to boost resilience and patience. This can be anything from workplace stress to dealing with your beautiful tamariki who are still on holiday.
Reignite Your Routines: A predictable schedule is your ally. Start small: get to bed earlier, prep meals, or add a lunchtime walk to your day.
Set Quick Wins: Prioritise easy tasks that give you a sense of accomplishment and help rebuild your work mojo. We love those dopamine hits when we tick a task off our to-do list!
Practice Mindfulness: Combat stress with simple techniques like deep breathing, stretches, or a quiet moment to check in with yourself. This is also a great time to add sensory breaks into your day, whether that's going into a darker, quieter place to get a break, or changing up the sensory input (cold water on your hands or face is great for this!).
Embrace Gratitude: Reframe your focus by acknowledging the good—your whānau, health, or even that morning coffee. Without taking away from the real issues each human being faces, we can choose to recognise what we DO have in our lives. Gratitude is a powerful motivator.
The beauty of these tips lies in their simplicity. They remind us to focus on what we can control and prioritise wellbeing over relentless productivity. I love that for us.
This year, let’s shift gears intentionally. Let's lean into balance, and approach the new work year with purpose built on self-care.