Don’t let post-holiday blues get the better of you…
Some interesting facts:
- 42% of people experience stress and anxiety upon returning to work after a holiday.
- 10% of UK workers don’t use up all their annual leave entitlement because of pressure from management.
- Older staff are more likely to take holidays compared to their younger colleagues.
Despite the rise in the cost of living, we are spending our hard-earned cash on holidays, on average £1,500 flights for accommodation, eating out and spending money per person. And given most of the UK have been experiencing heavy rainfall throughout the month of July and August, it stands to reason we are now splashing out more money on non-planned holidays than we did in 2022.
For those who are not booking a summer holiday this year, it’s highly likely that work-related stress (and not cash flow) is the main culprit.
So, what can all do to alleviate the post-holiday blues?
Prioritise your workload…
The first step is assessing what’s really behind your dread….
- Is it an impossible workload you’re drowning under?
- Is your manager unsupportive when it comes to managing your duties effectively?
- Are you taking on office housework like organising birthday cards, or whip-rounds, which detracts from your actual work, but still feels essential for staff morale?
- Instead of drowning under your to-do list, prioritise your workload accordingly and set yourself micro deadlines to be completed hourly, daily, weekly or even monthly.
- Alternatively, try the ‘scary hour’, this is a 60-minute burst which forces you to tackle your most difficult duties first, originated on social media and has since gone viral.
Schedule a regular one to one…
Often, missed signals or having a different working style to your colleagues can be at the root of issues you may be experiencing, so scheduling regular once to ones with your manager to make sure you’re on the right track and aligning your working style to those around you.
Short term, these kind of conversations will help reduce day-to-day anxiety and stress with regards to your work performance and give you a better insight into how you can improve.
Accessibility to management has the potential to help you progress in your career within the organisation for the long term.
Fresh outlook…
Time away can act as the catalyst for change. If you find that a couple of weeks off gives you a fresh perspective on your career, it could be time to look at your options.
Thankfully the UK job market has remained stable throughout 2023, so if you’re on the hunt for a new opportunity, Alexander Mae is the perfect place to start your search….
