Dealing With Your Post-Vacation Blues

Those vacation days are some of the best of the year, but I recently talked to someone who returned from a trip only to feel terrible for a few days after. That’s actually pretty common. Let's take a look at post-vacation blues and some things you can do to address it. 

You look forward to it for weeks. That glorious vacation you have planned. You've saved the money, booked the room, planned the activities, and now you are ready to unwind and enjoy life. When you arrive, it may feel like a miracle. You feel more relaxed. The fights you've been having with your spouse seem to fade away. The kids that have been behaving so badly lately are a joy once again. You're laughing and enjoying your day as a family. This is what life needs to be. 

Yet you are realistic. You know that real life isn't like a dream vacation, but maybe you could hold on to the part of it. Perhaps this is just what you need to fix your marriage and reconnect with the kids. You hope to carry this forward when you get home and live a little more like this every day.

Then you return home. The kids start whining about some trivial thing. Your spouse says something that hits you the wrong way. You begin to think about everything you will face at work the next day and start feeling like it is all an illusion. 

This is a description of a phenomenon called post-vacation blues. It is natural and common. Here are a few things you can do to help:

Know that bonding time was real. 

You may begin to think that the happy marriage and family time you experienced on vacation were an illusion. It was not. Vacation is real life too. Every day we live is real life. Of course, it is easier when we are free from household chores and job responsibilities. Still, it does not mean that those good experiences were fake. 

The routines of work, school, and household can be challenging, but that doesn't mean that your family is a wreck or that your marriage is on the rocks. The trick is to plan more happy vacation times. It doesn't have to be a big trip. Mini vacation-like experiences can be bonding for a family as well as dream vacations. 

Drive to the mountains on the weekend. Go to a local park in the evening. Play a board game, have a family movie night, or work on a fun project together. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. We can get into the habit of all work or all play. Intersperse a regular mini dose of that vacation spirit, and it will keep the routines of life from overtaking you. 

Don't over-expect. 

It will probably take a few days to get back into a routine and overcome those feelings of depression. That's O.K. You may not feel great about returning to work on the first day, but it doesn't mean you are in the wrong career. Relax, be patient with yourself, and the blues tend to subside in a few days. 

Ease your way back into routines. 

As much as possible, plan for the first couple of days back to be a transition. It can be difficult to return from vacation late Sunday night and go to work early Monday morning. It can be tempting to squeeze in every possible moment of vacation. Yet, returning a day early can be a wise move. Returning on Saturday and having Sunday to relax at home, unpack, and have some family time at home can make the transition much easier. Also, plan ahead for your tasks at work and try to make that first day back as light as possible. We don't always control such matters but do what you can. 

Start planning the next vacation immediately.

In addition to the mini vacations, weekend trips, and evening outings and activities, start planning that next dream vacation while the excitement of the last one is fresh in your mind. This keeps you focused on the reality that life has its work time and playtime. It's always fun to look forward to the playtime. 

Get help.

If you just can't shake the blues, get help. There may be more than post-vacation blues happening. A person experiencing depression or family dysfunction may feel better temporarily while on a great vacation. Then that depression or dysfunction comes back with a vengeance when you return home. Talk to your doctor and find a counselor to help address deeper issues when that post-vacation blues actually turns out to be something different. 

With a bit of planning, patience, and self-care, enjoying that fabulous vacation and returning to your life routines with a smooth transition is possible. Like an exciting plane ride, you want a soft landing, not a crash. Develop those strategies as part of your vacation planning, and your vacation will have a full range of happy memories.