“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Matthew 11:28-29).

All of my favorite memories from my childhood are from my summer vacations and the many trips we took. It’s no surprise that summer is a popular time to take a break from work and go on a vacation, but when we come back, we often do so to a mountain of work. I know people who hate going on vacation, because they feel like they come back to more work than if they had stayed home. Still, our brains and bodies need time to rest and recharge from daily life.

I hope the following tips can encourage you and help you feel less overwhelmed about taking some time away from work and prepare for a smooth transition after a much-deserved vacation.

1. Prepare Before You Leave for Vacation

The key to a smooth return starts before you leave. Here are some steps to take:

Plan Your Workload

Try to complete major projects before your vacation, or at least make enough progress that you can pick up where you left off without feeling overwhelmed.

Communicate

Inform your colleagues and/or clients about your vacation well in advance. Set up an out-of-office email reply to manage expectations regarding your availability.

Delegate

If possible, delegate urgent tasks to a trusted colleague. Ensure they have all the information they need to handle things in your absence.

Leave Detailed Notes

Leave yourself and co-workers, if you have any, detailed notes about what you are currently working on and what needs to be completed before deadlines. This way, when you come back, you can easily remember what you were working on.

2. Ease Back Into Work When You Return

Jumping straight into a full workload can be overwhelming. You’ll want to end your workday before you even get to lunch. Here’s how to ease back into the swing of things:

Return a Day Before You Need to Be Back

Consider returning from your vacation one day earlier than you need to. This buffer day allows you to unpack, do laundry, and mentally prepare for the workdays ahead.

Start Midweek

If possible, schedule your return to work in the middle of the week. This way, you only have to work a few days before the weekend, giving you a shorter adjustment period.

Take It Slow

Slowly ease back into your work schedule. Create a list of small tasks, and start checking them off one by one. Then, make a plan of attack for the rest of the week.

3. Prioritize and Plan

Once you’re back at your desk, take some time to get organized:

Check Emails

Skim through your emails to identify urgent matters. Don’t feel pressured to respond to everything immediately; instead, prioritize based on urgency and importance.

Create a To-Do List

List the tasks that need your immediate attention and the ones that can wait. Having a clear plan can help you tackle your workload systematically.

Connect With Colleagues and Clients

Meet with any colleagues and/or clients about what you missed while you were out of the office and what they need to catch you up on.

4. Maintain a Healthy Work/Life Balance

It’s easy to get caught up in the post-vacation rush, but maintaining a healthy work/life balance is crucial:

Set Boundaries

Stick to your regular work hours to avoid burnout. Remember, your well-being is just as important as your productivity. Don’t let others make you feel bad, and don’t work extra hours in an attempt to catch up right away. Take your time.

Take Breaks

Schedule regular breaks to stretch, walk, and relax. This time can help you stay focused and reduce stress.

5. Reflect and Apply Insights

Vacations can offer new perspectives and insights:

Reflect on Your Vacation

Think about what you enjoyed most and how you felt. Use these insights to improve your daily routine. For example, if you enjoyed morning walks during your vacation, try incorporating them into your workday.

Set New Goals

Use your refreshed mindset from your vacation to set new professional and personal goals. This process can reignite your motivation and enthusiasm.

Debrief From Work Travel

If you traveled for work, create a to-do list to implement anything you learned that will help your work or business. This activity is a very important step to make the most use of your experience.

Returning to work after a trip or vacation doesn’t have to be an overwhelming and daunting experience. With the right planning before you leave and when you come back, you will be caught up in no time! You may even be able to implement some things you learned while away from the office into your everyday routine to help alleviate stress and improve your life.

Beth Anne Kaczmarczyk is a cradle Catholic and wife who is passionate in helping others in her community with her husband through the Knights of Columbus. She has been a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor for over 10 years and runs her own Bookkeeping firm at BethAnneBookkeeping.com. She is passionate about helping small businesses understand their business finances so they can have less stress and grow their businesses. You can connect with her on her website, Instagram or join her monthly newsletter to receive a Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist!