How To Get Back to Work/Classes After a Long Break

What’s actually happening in our brain and body after a long break, according to psychology? And why pulling yourself together feels physically hard?

Our bodies crave routines. We stick to regular sleep, work, and rest schedules. That’s why we’re more productive when we’re in a consistent work-home routine and wake up at the same time every day. Whereas during the holidays, even the most organized of us have their daily routines disrupted as everything around them changes: transport schedules, store opening hours, and interactions with other people. We unwittingly take on a more relaxed regime and thus break our behavioral patterns. Therefore, when the holidays are over, we need some time to get back in the working mood – it’s like we are trying to kickstart this “mechanism” without any of its usual external supports. 

At times like that, we often beat ourselves up for being lazy and having no energy. What may this lead to?

This kind of self-criticism usually arises from a gap between expectations and reality; we believe that a good rest equals better productivity and efficiency. However, the return to work takes time and effort. When we beat ourselves up for lacking energy, we spend our resources not on doing tasks, but rather on worrying and feeling guilty, which causes even more stress, frustration, and an even greater drop in productivity. This isn’t only unproductive but also harmful; instead, it’s better to allow yourself to ease into tasks at a more compassionate pace.

Is there a way to gently but efficiently reset your brain from rest to work mode? 

When you’re lacking motivation, it’s usually a sign that you’ve lost meaning in your actions. Think of why you’ve decided to take on this or that project or job – it helps to regain the spirit you used to have. For example, burned-out teachers often find renewed passion by reconnecting with why they decided to become teachers in the first place. Sometimes, the problem isn’t you but the lack of clarity or support in what you currently do. That’s why a reset should start with asking yourself what causes internal resistance. If a task has a meaning behind it, motivation comes naturally.

A more practical way to reset your brain is to plan: set your goals and break them into small, manageable tasks. It’s important to organize your day according to your own rhythm; some people need morning calls to cheer themselves up, whereas others prefer silence and focused work. Avoid perfectionism when planning. A quick, adjustable plan works great, and a detailed, lengthy to-do list takes a lot of effort to create.

What tasks should one start working on after the holidays to get back into the new rhythm more easily?

If you feel lost and don’t know where to begin, use the three simple tasks method to get yourself started. What you need to do is pick three smallest, most enjoyable, and clearest tasks from your list – finding pictures for your presentation or sorting out your inbox – and accept that all you need to do that day are these three and nothing more. It relieves stress because big tasks are scary and tiny ones are appealing. As you do these little things, you get into a rhythm. However, if you don't, it’s important to keep your word and give yourself a break, like going for a walk; otherwise, your brain won’t believe you next time. For some people, adaptation takes a day, but for others, it could be a week. 

Another way to avoid feeling lost is to leave for the holidays with an almost completed task that you can finish on your first day back; getting back to a familiar task is easier than starting a whole new one. The idea of entering a new year with no unfinished tasks drains us in December and deprives us of an easy start in January.

Which techniques would you recommend for boosting productivity after the holidays?

Creating a simple plan for your first day is first and foremost. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable ones to reduce anxiety and get yourself started. Decide how many times you’re going to switch between different tasks today so as not to stress yourself out and deplete your cognitive resources. Don't waste time trying to reach perfection – a quick to-do list is better than an ideal plan that will consume all your energy. Start with simple and exciting micro-tasks to get things going and experiment with different techniques and regimens to find the ones that work for you. And remember that it’s better to have a smooth transition when getting back from the holidays.

ITMO has a soft skills course. What seemingly simple skill taught there do most people lack for a smooth back-to-work transition?

Be mindful and gentle with yourself. When you understand your current state well – say, know that you feel confused or tired – you can figure out how to help yourself on the fly.

How can colleagues help each other settle back in after holidays without much stress?

We’re social creatures and are wired to read each other’s states. If everyone complains about being tired, it will just add to the overall apathy in the workplace. But if you all decide to team up, you’ll run a reverse, more productive script. Planning a day or a week together, even briefly, will help you synchronize and reduce stress because you understand that you are not alone. As the workspace and our colleagues alone help our brain switch to the work mode, it’s vital to establish an environment of mutual aid in the workspace.

What small but pleasant rituals can one add to their workday so it doesn’t seem so “gray” after holidays? 

Each person can come up with their own rituals. Personally, I go to hug my colleagues – it’s very energizing. You could bring something tasty, like tangerines, to boost everyone’s mood and glucose levels. There are body techniques, too. If you feel drained, go to a mirror and smile at yourself – you’ll see your mood will get better in a minute. Similarly, you can straighten your back and take a deep breath – it’ll help bring your body into a more focused state. All these little things – hugs, treats, smiles, and an upright posture – work perfectly for most people.

Other helpers are gratitude and simple human attention. You can leave your colleague a nice note or simply thank them for helping with something, even if it wasn’t a big deal. It’s also helpful to think about all the things you’re grateful for at the end of your day. Remember what a mood-booster it is when you get an out-of-the-blue thank-you message from a colleague – you can do that, too. Make a good thing for them and for you. These are some rituals that can brighten anyone's day.

What are your three wacky or funny lifehacks that can really help one quickly get back into the flow?

I’m not a fan of ready-made lifehacks from the internet; instead, I advocate for coming up with your own practices that are filled with an attentive and caring attitude. The best method is to run small experiments on yourself, like you’re a scientist. For one, you may believe that you’ll feel better if you go to bed half an hour earlier; you can try to implement that and evaluate your state every day. After you run several such experiments, you’ll see what actually works best for you. There's no one-size-fits-all fix – what works for one, may not work for another.