No matter how much you love your job, going back to work after a holiday never feels good. Just when you’ve got into the swing of having some time off, you’re faced with the prospect of getting up at 6am and facing emails. And while that initial stress will wear off eventually, it’s still a shock to the system. 

The stress of returning to work aside, however, there’s another challenge that often comes with going back to work after a period of annual leave – the dreaded “brain mush”.

If you’re finding it hard to concentrate today after the festive break, you’ll know what we’re talking about – no matter how hard you try, it’s as if your brain just won’t get back into action.  

So, why does this strange phenomenon happen? According to Jade Thomas, a BACP-registered psychotherapist and psychologist in doctoral training at the Private Therapy Clinic, the answer could lie in the lack of routine associated with periods away from work.

“One of the reasons why you might struggle to get back into the flow of things when returning to work following a holiday could be the disruption of your regular routine,” Thomas says. 

“Routines help us to create healthy habits and feel more in control, which can reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, a break in routine can lead to us feeling a sense of uncertainty or general overwhelm.” 

The sheer contrast between what’s expected of us on our days off and when we return to work could also cause make it harder to concentrate, Thomas adds.

“When you return to work following some time-off you’re likely to be in a relaxed state of mind,” she says. “As a result, you might be functioning at a slower pace than normal both mentally and physically, so returning to work can feel a bit like going from 0-100. Our bodies and minds take time to adjust and shift to a different pace – so the brain ‘mush’ might be as a result of this.”

While there’s not much you can do to shift this feeling if you’re already in the midst of it, there are some things you can do to make your first week back a little easier.

For example, Thomas recommends prioritising the tasks you’re dreading (to make things a little easier for the rest of the week) and taking time to move your body to get yourself out of “rest mode”. 

“When we have had time off, it can be difficult to get ourselves out of rest mode, so try to go for a walk or incorporate some exercise into your day. Moving your body will get the blood flow moving around your body and produce those endorphins to help you feel more fired up.”

To prevent this feeling from happening the next time you take a break, Thomas also recommends getting organised the night before to remove any unnecessary stress and trying to focus on something you’re looking forward to once you’re back at your desk.

At the end of the day, while it’s hardly convenient to feel a bit all over the place after a break from work, it’s not the end of the world – and you shouldn’t get frustrated at yourself for not being at the top of your game from the moment you return. 

Many people are likely in a similar position, and we all need time to adapt. Showing yourself a bit of kindness when you’re feeling off will make a big difference to how you feel as the week goes on.

Images: Getty