As schools restart and businesses prepare for the winter, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unproductive as you head back to your usual routine. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help: 

Get Back Into Self-Care

Vacations are prime time for falling out of your healthy habits. Maybe you’ve been sleeping irregularly, eating more junk food than usual, or lost track of your fitness plan. Good habits keep you healthy and improve your mood, productivity and focus. Whatever routine you’ve lost focus on, make it a priority again, and you’ll see improvements in your focus in no time! 

Reorganizing Your Space 

It’s proven that a messy space diminishes your focus and makes it easier to procrastinate. Setting aside an hour or two to put everything in its place can help alleviate the visual clutter your brain is struggling with. 

This also applies to the tools you use; planners, digital calendars, emails, and memo boards are all susceptible to becoming cluttered when you’re not using them rigidly. You can lower that stress you’re feeling by taking a second to write down your plans, fill in your calendar, and sort your emails at the beginning of your work session. 

A bonus email tip: you don’t need to read every single one. There will be tasks that get started after your leave and finished before you return, and having the email thread in your inbox will clog it up and add extra stress while trying to catch up. Devise an email strategy with your team, so they know to only CC you on things you will be directly impacted by upon your return. 

Prioritizing Active Projects 

Speaking of planners and emails, if you’re feeling unproductive and anxious because you don’t know where to start after the holidays, write them all down on cards or as a list. Then write down the three following steps for each of them. Afterwards, select your three top priorities and move forward with them. 

Some projects are likely to be more critical than others; ones with upcoming deadlines or are currently on hold until your part is completed should take precedence. However, if you’re lucky enough to have no projects that stick out as urgent, you can start with the one you find most fun to get back into the swing of things. 

Being Realistic and Allowing Rest 

A common mistake when returning to a productive work schedule is trying to catch up all at once. The human brain can only focus so much at a time, so take that lunch break instead of eating through it! A recent study determined that taking micro-breaks helps increase your overall well-being and productivity, so it’s essential not to let productivity guilt get to you when taking the time you need. 

This is also important when making your active project list. Take note of what you know you can accomplish each day, and make these expectations clear to your team. This lessens stress on both ends and means you can take your return day by day.