Feeling the post-holiday blues? Us Kiwis have been lucky to have exceptionally good weather over January in 2022, and the opportunity to reunite with loved ones from all over the country as public health restrictions have eased. So, this working year might be feeling harder to crack into than most. Here’s some advice to help you get back in the swing of things.
Get your sleep back on track
Sleep routines tend to get dropped when you’re not at work, or if you’re travelling. When work starts again, your body clock might be very confused! Try to stick to your usual bedtime in the week leading up to your work start date, and establish a solid routine before bed to help you relax and drift off to sleep more easily.
Do a mini sprint-clean
Clean your desk and office space, removing any clutter from before your holiday. Having an inviting, organized workspace will make you feel more prepared to start work.
Make a ‘game plan’ for your first week back
Before you get started on your work, sit down and create a to-do list for your first week. This will allow you to allocate your time effectively and decide which tasks are most important. It could also set a good precedent for you to keep track of your tasks for the rest of the year! Remember to set time aside purely to catch up on any emails that came through while you were away.
Bonus points if you make the list before you leave for your break in the first place!
Get your health back on track
While holidays are for extra cocktails, random meal times and a few more treats than usual, now that you are back to work you might want to consider eating better for your brain. Adopt that ‘new year, new me’ mantra and fill your mealtimes with brain-boosting vegetables, nuts, fruit and fish. Regular exercise will also help to clear your mind and benefit your long-term health.
Don’t be too hard on yourself!
Remember that you will probably be having plenty of conversations just catching up with colleagues about their summer, so don’t pack out your work schedule too tightly or you will likely fall behind. Also remember that it’s still summer, it’s still sunny and light after work – you deserve to make the most of the sunshine even after a big work day!
We hope this helps you get started on work after your summer break in 2022 a little more easily! Happy New (working) year from the Corporate Connect team.
