Coping With Post-Vacation Blues

Coping With Post-Vacation Blues

Written by: Jordan Kadish

Reviewed by: Melissa Cammack, LPC

As the end of Summer quickly approaches, many of us are returning from vacations and settling back into our normal routine of work, school, and/or family responsibilities. Although some of us may feel ready to get back into “regular life,” some may struggle with “post-vacation blues.” In this blog post, we will discuss why we tend to feel down when coming home from a fun vacation, and some tips for not letting these emotions get the best of you. 

Why do “post-vacation blues” occur? 

You may think, “Of course I feel sad after a vacation. I just went from super exciting plans back to my normal, boring life.” It seems obvious, but it is important to understand where exactly these feelings come from. One can feel “let down” after a vacation for many reasons. Perhaps you looked forward to this vacation for so long that now that it is completed, you feel as though you have nothing to look forward to. Or, maybe you used a lot of mental capacity planning this vacation and navigating a new location and you feel burnt out with low emotions now that you are back. Maybe you are not content with your everyday routine and are struggling with comparing the high happiness you felt on vacation with the mundane feelings you are experiencing now. Or, you may be dreading going back to your job or school, which is causing you an unhealthy level of stress. Knowing the root cause of your feelings can help you understand the reasoning behind them and eventually cope and move forward. 

Common Symptoms of the Blues[1]

• Sadness or melancholy

• Fatigue or low-energy

• Loss of motivation

• Trouble sleeping

• Irritability

• Nostalgia or preoccupation with vacation 

How to Cope With the Blues

1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Feelings

The first step to coping with your emotions is by first acknowledging you are experiencing them in the first place. It may feel tempting to deny that you are sad coming back from a trip or that you miss your time away, but the only way to move forward is to accept that you are feeling down. Try journaling about your feelings or talking about them with someone who supports you. 

2. Reframe Your Emotions

Instead of feeling bitter towards your feelings and comparing your current situation to your exciting vacation, try reframing your emotions into more positive ones. For example, instead of thinking about how boring or stressful your life is now that you are back home, think about how you are grateful to have gotten to take a break while on vacation, or excited to reunite with your loved ones at home. It is all about perspective, and there is usually a positive in every situation. 

3. Re-adjust Into Your Routine

You may feel jet-lagged and exhausted coming back from a trip, or just foreign to your normal life after being away for a while. Take some time to unwind and re-adjust to your everyday routine. Get your sleep schedule back on track, ease back into your responsibilities, and don’t be too hard on yourself for needing time to get back to your normal state. 

4. Bring Aspects of Vacation to Your Routine

If there are aspects of your vacation that you particularly miss, like the feeling of pure relaxation or embarking on exciting adventures, there may be creative ways to bring this essence into your everyday life. For example, if it’s the sense of relaxation you miss, dedicate an hour of your day to a relaxing activity, like sitting outside while it’s still sunny, meditating, reading, crafting, or listening to music. If it is the exciting adventures you are missing, make an effort to plan some fun activities to do near you. This can be something as simple as checking out a new restaurant or cuisine, going on a hike, or visiting the beach. 

5. Reach out for Support

Sometimes, post-vacation blues that linger can be a sign of a more serious mental health condition. If you find that you just can’t shake the feelings of sadness, please do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional or loved one for support. Asking for help may help you get back to feeling healthy and happy. 

We know that post-vacation blues can be tough to deal with, but hopefully with these tips, you’ll be feeling better soon!