After the holidays: how to go back to work painlessly

Discover our range of products for preventing temporary low mood .

Keep summer going to stay positive

To avoid getting depressed about going back to work, do what you can to extend the pleasures of summer. Temperatures in September and October are generally pretty good so take advantage of the pleasant weather to get some fresh air and clear your mind. A daily 30 minute walk is great for releasing stress and making you feel more relaxed. You can also prolong the feeling of summer by having lunch, dinner or drinks outside on the terrace or in the garden.

Added extra: You can also ‘hold on to’ summer by keeping your tan going -and glowing - during the month of September. Catch the last rays of sun and take advantage of supplements such as the formulation Tan-Aid.

Keep eating healthily to stay in shape

Eating late-summer seasonal fruits and vegetables can also help prolong that holiday feeling and ease your re-entry to the workplace. Rich in beneficial components, these foods are chock full of nutrients that promote well-being. In no time at all, the first fruits and vegetables of autumn will be here such as apples, pears, squash and pumpkin - brilliant as part of a healthy, balanced diet as well as for staying in shape post-holiday.

Added extra: It’s not uncommon to feel a little low in energy and motivation when it’s time to go back to work. This can be a sign of inadequate intake of certain nutrients. To help you stay fit and healthy, SuperSmart offers powerful multivitamin formulations such as Daily 3®, which combines over 40 different nutrients including vitamin C, magnesium and a number of natural antioxidants.

Plan for a stress-free return to work

After spending days or weeks relaxing, the return to work can often prove something of a shock to the system. There’s a sudden change of pace. Day-to-day responsibilities return. You start to feel stressed again. Ease yourself into work gently by planning for your return from holiday and taking a few days for yourself, to get back into the new rhythm. This will give you time to adjust to going back to work.

Added extra: If you feel panicky about the prospect of going back to work, certain supplements can help. One such product is PharmaGABA®, which provides gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter with relaxing effects. You could also take advantage of the anti-stress properties of theanine, extracted from green tea.

You need a good night’s sleep to be effective at work

For a problem-free return to work you need to sleep well. Returning from holiday is often a busy time, both personally and professionally. Day-to-day demands can often eat into your sleep time. You may then start to feel fatigued, resulting in difficulties with concentration, mood and sleep. It’s a vicious circle. To avoid this scenario, you need to pay close attention to the length and quality of your sleep. As much as possible, avoid staying up too late, waking up too early and spending too much time in front of a screen before going to bed.

Added extra: Several nutritional supplements are effective at encouraging drowsiness and preventing insomnia. These include the well-known ‘sleep hormone’, melatonin, available as a spray or as capsules, and Natural Sleep Formula, which contains a number of plant extracts with recognised tranquillising and sedative effects.