THE return to everyday life after a holiday can feel overwhelming, with overflowing inboxes and packed schedules threatening to undo the benefits of time away. And within a very short time, the restorative effects of one’s holiday can be undone as the pressure returns.

Samantha Pillay, Director at lifestyle and travel brand ekko, encourages travellers to plan not just their getaway but their return too. By preparing before departure, both at work and at home, Pillay says travellers can sidestep the post-holiday slump, and offers some practical guidance to help them ease back into their daily routine.

“We often focus all our energy on the getaway itself – the destination, the itinerary, the escape. But the real game-changer is when we also plan for the return. A well-thought-out comeback strategy can extend the benefits of your holiday and help you re-enter your routine with vitality, motivation, and optimism,” she said.

Also read: 5 tips for planning a holiday with extended family

So what does a well-planned return look like? Pillay shares her essential strategies for maintaining that holiday glow, before clocking out:
 Departure prep
• Prioritise and action what needs to be done before you leave and flag non-urgent tasks that can be deferred.
• Submit any required documentation, e.g. expense reports that will fall due while you’re away.
• Prepare a clear, comprehensive handover document to brief your manager, colleagues, or stand-in on responsibilities, key contacts, and any daily tasks you need to delegate.
• If any work requires a password, ensure it’s shared securely with the responsible person(s).
• Inform key clients or stakeholders of your absence and who to contact in your absence.
• Organise your workspace so it feels welcoming when you return.

Tidy your digital space
• Clear your inbox of lingering threads or flag key items for follow-up.
• Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails to avoid adding to the deluge when you return.
• Mute notifications from non-essential apps

Also read: Five tips to get your home ready for the holidays

Set realistic expectations
• Review priorities before you leave and set realistic expectations for your first week back.
• Acknowledge that you won’t catch up immediately – and that’s okay.

Ease into your routine
• Don’t let your post-holiday self get swallowed up by old habits again – avoid diving straight from poolside to inbox.
• Rather, make provision for a buffer day or two at home before returning to the office. Use this time to reset sleep patterns, unpack, and mentally shift gears.
• Schedule a lighter first day back – reserve your morning for email triage and low-stakes solo work rather than meetings.
• Avoid back-to-back meetings or major deadlines in your first 48 hours.
• Reintroduce your routine gently and remember to make time for things you enjoy, like the gym.

Prepare your home for an easy return

• Clear your fridge of perishables and tidy up the home.
• Set yourself up for a smooth first night back by changing sheets and laying out fresh towels before departure.
• Consider scheduling an online grocery delivery for essentials.
• If you are taking a December holiday and have school-age children, buy any new school clothes and stationery before departure.
• Book your next adventure.

As Pillay notes, “Holidays aren’t just about escape – they’re about renewal. So, don’t just plan your holiday – plan your comeback and avoid the post-holiday blues.”

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