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Actively plan for your return -

When planning time off work, most people focus on the departure. But your return is also important. For example, consider coming back on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. You'll have time to unpack, grab some groceries, and get plenty of rest before work.

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Get a good night’s sleep -

We all know how important a good night's sleep is for focus and performance. So make sure to turn off any screens before bedtime and to get to bed early. You'll be rested and ready for your first day back.

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Check emails the night before -

Some find it helpful to check their emails the evening before, just for some peace of mind and to improve their first-day-back productivity.

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Or don't! -

However, for others, the evening before is still part of their holiday time, so checking their inbox is a big no-no. In the end, it's important to know which strategy is best for you.

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Plan ahead for a good morning -

If you've been having lazy mornings for a week or more, then the sudden morning rush can stress you out. Make your morning smoother by picking out your clothes the evening before and putting together your bag.

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Plan ahead for a good morning -

Prepare your lunch and snacks as well. If you don't have time to cook, just throw together a simple salad, and you'll be ready for your first day back.

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Get organized -

You probably didn't have time to organize your desk before leaving for the holidays. Don't worry—no one is judging you. However, set yourself up for success by tidying up before you start working on anything.

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Get organized -

By straightening up piles of paper and setting folders aside, you'll declutter your space and your mind. As a result, you'll be able to manage your time without getting distracted by the mess.

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Eat well -

To stay focused and productive, your brain needs the energy provided by food. Make sure to choose meals and snacks that will keep your body running without energy spikes and crashes.

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Don't work through lunch -

No matter how busy you are, avoid working through lunch. Doing this will increase stress and reduce productivity. Take a proper lunch break and recharge your batteries.

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Listen to music -

Music can amp up your mood and fight first-day sluggishness. Listen to music that keeps you from falling asleep at your desk, but also helps you concentrate.

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Set goals and write them down -

Once you're back to work, set up some goals and how you'll achieve them. The number and type of goals you set will depend entirely on your work, but make sure it's realistic.

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Set goals and write them down -

Write down the most important things first and cross them off as you get them finished. Stick to one goal at a time. Multitasking should be avoided, as it decreases productivity.

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Check in with work social media feeds -

During your break, have a look at work-related social media feeds that you use for news and updates in your field. Doing this intentionally during a break will help you resist temptation to check while your mind is looking for distraction during work.

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After checking, turn all social media off -

Social media can be extremely distracting. To avoid the temptation, keep your phone on silent mode with the screen down. This way you won't get distracted by notifications throughout the day.

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Drink lots of water -

Don't forget to hydrate! Bring a water bottle with you to work and keep it in a visible spot to remind yourself to drink regularly throughout the day.

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Reconnect with people -

If you get along with your coworkers, the first day back can be a lot of fun. Plan to catch up with people over a coffee or lunch. However, remember to be respectful of their time and tasks.

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Consider a "delay" message -

If you’re spending your first day back clearing a backlog, you may be slower at answering newer messages. For this reason, consider setting up an auto-response to new emails, committing to a reply shortly. This simple step will remove the pressure to read and reply to new emails right away.

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Schedule new email checks -

Since you’ve set an auto-response message, you don't need to stress about replying to new messages straight away. Instead, set aside some time to read new emails that have arrived. This could be just 15 minutes before a coffee break.

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Keep the holiday feeling alive -

You can still keep the holiday feeling alive. This can be done by taking a walk in a park during lunch, or eating outside. You can also plan to meet a friend after work for some ice cream or drinks.

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Triage your inbox -

As not all emails need immediate attention, cut down on the size of your inbox by triaging them. Consider organizing them in folders that represent the action you need to take.

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Delete or archive -

Your inbox probably collects emails that are entirely unnecessary. From mailing lists that you probably don't remember signing up for, to links to funny videos, these are all major distractions. Be ruthless and delete as many as possible, or archive them to look later.

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Plan breaks -

Human brains can't focus effectively for long periods of time without a break. You need a healthy structure where you focus on tasks for a certain amount of time, and then give your brain some breathing space.

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Plan breaks -

Known as the Pomodoro Technique, work for 25 minutes at a time, with a five-minute break after each work period. After you’ve completed four of these 25-minute sessions, give yourself a 15- to 30-minute break. You'll fully recharge your batteries.

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Don't overdo it -

It can be hard to focus, and you might feel exhausted on your first day back. Make sure you don't work extra hours, as it can burn you out. This can also impact your productivity and the quality of your work.

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Review your calendar -

Make sure to review your calendar the day before returning to work. You don't want to get caught off guard by any surprises like a canceled meeting or a new event.

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Take it easy -

Throwing yourself in full force can be a shock and stress you out. You don't want to hurt the quality of your work, so consider taking it easy on your first day back.

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Work harder during the middle of the week -

By the middle of the week, you'll be fully back to your normal work rhythm, while still being rested from your holiday. Use the energy boost to work harder on difficult tasks before the weekend.

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Find your purpose -

It can be hard to go back after some time off. We need to feel motivated and that we have a purpose at our jobs. Try to stay positive and formulate your purpose.

Sources: (Forbes) (CareerAddict) 

See also: Back-to-school tips for parents 

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