Beat the back-to-work blues

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The holiday is over and that sinking feeling has set in - it's back to work, back to reality.

Yesterday was the official end to the Christmas/New Year break for many people, who would have trudged off to the office, rather than the beach.

But Solace Counselling Service owner Leith Thompson suggests that rather than feeling too depressed, start planning your next holiday instead.

Mr Thompson said it was common for people to feel a bit down after returning to work from holidays. "They just had a really good time and it's not unusual to feel discouraged having to return to the normal work cycle."

Having the blues was a "really real" experience, he said.

Mr Thompson said that while recalling your holiday and how nice it was to "slow life down," it was important to remember there would be another holiday sometime in the future.

"Think about, 'When could we do that again?' And plan it.

"Don't wait a whole year. Planning a mini-break and having it on the calendar makes the world of difference."

Tauranga clinical psychologist Hans Laven also stressed looking at the positives, and recommended easing yourself back into the swing of things.

Mr Laven advised getting plenty of sleep, cutting back on alcohol intake, and returning to a healthy diet and regular exercise pattern.

He said it was not unusual for holidaymakers returning to the daily grind to experience something similar to jet lag.

"[Your] routine has been going to bed much later, partying it up or whatever, and sleeping in. Most people wouldn't go to bed as early, because they don't have to get up early."

He recommended cutting bedtime back by an hour each night, until you are back to your normal work bedtime.

"Remind yourself it [the blues] will pass. It's a temporary adjustment."

- APN