5 tips to Get Back in the Groove after a Trip or Extended Weekend
Do you ever return home from a trip and feel like your mind is still off on vacation somewhere?
The past couple of months I’ve traveled nearly every week. In the midst of it, I’ve found it difficult to get back in the groove and focus on work between trips. Often, I’ll return from a trip both mentally and physically exhausted, wanting to do nothing for at least a day or two. By the time I feel like I’ve mentally recovered from the last trip, it’s time to leave again.
As I mentioned in my post about creating a travel routine, our body and mind take time to adjust to the changes we experience while traveling. This goes the same for getting back in the groove after returning from a trip.
It’s normal to feel like we have an endless list of to-do’s to catch up on after traveling. We’re out of our routine, likely bummed to be home rather than on vacation, and find it difficult to focus on work. From catching up at home, getting back to our regular exercise routine, to re-focusing on our business. We’re in limbo between feeling like we need to rest, even though we were just on vacation, and feeling like we’ll never catch back up with everything we’ve put off for the past week.
Not only can this result in overwhelm, but our mind and body aren’t fully ready to focus on these things just yet.
That’s exactly why I’ve spent the past few weeks creating a routine to get back into the groove after a trip or particularly demanding weekend. These tips will help you ease back into reality, focus on work, and appreciate the amazing trip you just experienced.
5 tips to get back in the groove after returning from a trip or extended weekend:
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Get a Good Night’s Sleep
As I described above, returning from a trip often requires some sort of recovery time. That recovery begins with sleep. Often during travel, we sleep less, or not as well, whether because we’re busy or simply less comfortable. The best way to get back into the groove quickly is to get a good night’s sleep.
While I try to adjust back to my normal schedule as quickly as possible, I allow myself some wiggle room that first day back to allow the rest I need. Sometimes this means sleeping in later than normal. Often, it means taking an afternoon nap. Once I give myself the rest I need, I feel rejuvenated and ready for a productive week.
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Give Yourself Time to Reflect
It’s important to allow yourself time to not only physically recover from the trip, but also mentally. For me, this means giving myself time to reflect on my trip before easing back into work. Giving yourself an extra day, or at least a morning, to ease back into the grind can make all the difference.
I personally like to allow myself a slower morning before getting to work. I’ll make a homemade latte to sip on my front porch, journal, and allow myself the time to process and reflect on the events of the weekend. This is essential for me when it comes time to get back to work.
By allowing myself time to ease back into my normal routine, I find I’m more productive and focused. I’ve given myself time to appreciate my experience and that positive energy extends into the rest of the week.
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Unpack
Oh my goodness, I can’t tell you how much unpacking actually helps me mentally return from a trip! I’m normally horrible at unpacking my bag (just ask my husband). At the beginning of August, I decided it needed to be done. That was the first time I unpacked my bag and actually PUT IT AWAY since…March?…January?…It honestly may not have ever been put away since we moved in December (yikes!).
These past couple of trips, I’ve unpacked my suitcase and put it away in the closet during the first day after returning home. Something about the physical act of unpacking helps me mentally return from vacation. I appreciate myself for taking the 3 minutes to put away my suitcase instead of leaving it on my bedroom floor. Plus, I feel like I’ve accomplished something, which helps get the momentum going for the week.
Unpacking now tops my list of things to do after coming home from a trip.
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Exercise
If you read about my travel routine, you’ll know that I like to incorporate regular movement and stretching during my travels. However, my normal routine involves longer yoga routines and weight lifting. If I haven’t done those in a few days due to travel, my body aches to be pushed and stretched.
The real secret to this is the mental impact. It’s like a total mind and body refresh. On this first day back home, I usually don’t feel like doing much. I find exercise does two important things for me to get back in the groove: 1) It proves that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to, and 2) It makes me feel energized and ready to take on the rest of my day. Just make sure to get good warm-up in as you may be stiff from travel.
Exercise is my way to recommit to my goals and schedule for the week.
If you’re not sure what to do, try this 30 minute yoga workout by Tara Stiles – It’s one of my favorites to warm up and stretch out after a trip.
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Hydrate
Most often, travel results in some sort of dehydration. Dehydration is known to affect concentration, memory, mood, plus so much more! In order to get back into the groove with energy and focus, you must rehydrate.
I’m a stickler for trying my best to stay hydrated during a trip. However, I’m also guilty of purposely drinking less to avoid adding an extra stop during road trips, or to not disturb the person sitting next to me on a flight.
At home, I always keep a big water bottle beside me. I also find that I drink more water when it’s flavored, so I’ll add a slice of lemon or make some herbal tea and drink up! When properly hydrated, I feel more focused and ready to get to work.
So there you have it, my 5 tips to get back in the groove after a trip or draining weekend. Hope these tips help you to appreciate your adventures and come home ready to jump back into work.
What do you find helps you get back in the groove after a trip or long weekend?