6 Ways To Avoid The Post Vacation Blues

What’s the worst part of a vacation? With little question, it’s the last day—that’s usually when you get the sinking feeling that real life is right around the corner. Don’t let the fear of returning to reality ruin those last few hours for you and your family. Here are six ways you can manage those feelings and enjoy every minute of your travels.

Minimize work and household chores

Don’t dread coming home to chores—do them before you leave.

To battle the post vacation blues, Katie Kurtz checks off every item on her to-do list—personal and professional—before leaving on vacation. She even cleans her house. “Less work to go home to reduces anxiety about returning to reality,” says Kurtz, owner of Adorned Homes, a boutique design and renovation firm.

Kurtz also reminds herself there is nothing she can do about home and work stress while she’s out of town. “Acknowledging this helps me put it out of my mind and enjoy every sweet moment through the end of the vacation,” she says.

Look forward to good things back home

Give yourself plenty of things to look forward to when you return.

Author and life coach Zakiyya Rosebelle suggests focusing on the positive aspects of everyday life. “Reminisce about the delightful comforts of home, familiar things and sweet little luxuries that you indulge yourself in,” she says.

Whether that’s relaxing at home with a cup of tea and a good book on Sunday or pursuing a hobby, Rosebelle advises her clients to “focus on the pleasant things that await you.”

Arrange an exciting adventure close to home

The fun and games don’t have to end with your trip. Look forward to an adventurous day outdoors. According to Rosebelle, studies show that surrounding yourself with nature can improve your mood.

So can the people you love, she adds. “You can plan a fun get-together with family or friends. Look forward to a wonderful time with the people who are close to your heart.”

Take an extra day off

Abruptly launching back to work after vacation and into your normal schedule the day after you arrive home can immediately chip away at your positive vacay vibes. Instead, give yourself a buffer so the R & R you accumulated on your trip has time to seep in.

“The anticipation of [work] can make the last couple days of vacation stressful,” says Jonathan Bennett, a counselor and author of the site The Popular Man. “If possible, take an extra day off so that you can relax at home, recover from the fun and ease back into your normal life more slowly.”

Plan more trips

The end of a vacation can cause anxiety because of what it represents: the end of freedom and fun and a return to the daily grind. Bennett says it’s depressing knowing that it might be another year before you can have such an experience again. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.

“If you’re starting to get depressed at the end of a vacation, plan, even informally, a few fun trips you can take in the near future,” he says. “Knowing that you have other adventures to look forward to can soften the blow of the end of your current vacation.”

Take control of your life

On vacation, you can set your own schedule, indulge your senses and generally enjoy life. Everyone has a little anxiety at the thought of returning to real life, but if you feel an overwhelming sense of dread, it may signal the need for a change in your day-to-day routine.

“Ultimately, the best way to deal with post vacation blues is resolving to take more control of your life,” says Bennett. “Examine what you love about vacations and then find ways to experience that more regularly.”

“If you enjoy your everyday life, ending a vacation won’t be nearly as difficult,” concludes Bennett.

When you're ready for your next vacation, book your hotel and start looking forward to another great trip!