Returning from Holidays?
Here are some tips to make returning to reality a little easier.
I have just returned from holidaying in Europe, traveling for 45 days, 8 countries, 12 flights and 11 hotels and a stay with family.
So how do you recover from such a big trip and get into day-to-day life?
Hmmmm well that is tuff….
Jet lag… time zones… sleep patterns… holiday blues…
After being on the go for so long, I am keen to be home and slow down a little, but I know that once I land back in Australia, the hard part starts!
First off, Jet Lag!
Sleep!
It is good to start trying to readjust to the time zone at home when flying home. It is hard I know, sleeping on a plane is hard.
Make sure you have noise cancelling headphones to minimise the noise when you are trying to sleep.
Take a neck pillow if you are sitting in Economy and don’t forget to take a silk sleep eye mask, it’s the small comforts that will make sleeping a little bit easier.
If you are lucky enough to be traveling in Business Class, you will be given a sleep mask and those lay down beds definitely make sleeping a lot easier.
Hydration!
This is really important! Make sure you drink water before, constantly during the flight home and after your flight. Yes, it will increase your trips to that small bathroom on the aeroplane but hydration is the key. Mild hydration is common when traveling by air, so your hydration needs to be monitored. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Herbal Tea can also help restore hydration.
Drink, Water… Water… Water… not just the Champagne LOL
Health Direct – Drinking water and your health
Exercise!
Exercise, get that heart rate up, sweat it out! If that is not really your thing, then even a simple walk once you get home will help. Get out in the sunshine during the day.
Holiday Blues!
Keep alert for those Holiday Blue’s! Yes, it is a thing… It is very normal to feel down after returning home from holidays. Loneliness, fatigue and sadness is quite normal.
Make sure you organise a catch up with friends or family, exercise or just get outside into the fresh air. Don’t just sit around the house by yourself, it will only make it worse.
Being Organised!
Before I leave for holidays, I always make sure the washing is up to date, the house is clean ad a fresh pair of sheets are on my bed. That way, I am not dreading coming home to chores.
If you are lucky like me and have adult children at home, use them LOL. I sent a grocery list to them and asked them to have it all in the fridge / cupboards the day before I arrived home. If you don’t have that resource, then do an online grocery order and schedule it to arrive just after you return. There is nothing worse than suffering from jet lag and having to hit the grocery store.
I also find it best to return to work in the middle of the week if you work Monday to Friday. This allows 2 to 3 days work to ease back into work rather than trying to push through a 5 day work week while still suffering from some Jet Lag symptoms.
