If the last week of December is the euphoric (but momentary) high of drinking too much too quickly, the first week of January is like waking up with the headache, fatigue and lightheadedness of an apocalyptic hangover. Buried deep under a blanket seems like the only correct way to recover, but alas, work beckons. So you’ve dragged yourself out of bed, drowned your unwillingness to get back to the grind in cups of coffee and shown up. But how do you plan on surviving the seemingly endless workday? Here are 6 tips to help you out:
Complain To Your Heart’s Content
You may not be able to get out of going to work but you sure can ease your stress by venting about it. So go ahead and get that frustration out—complain about the tortuous commute, your overflowing email inbox, how one hour feels like ten—you’ll be surprised how quickly this might turn into a bonding experience with your coworkers.
Keep The Holiday Spirit Going
Who said anything about giving up the holiday spirit altogether? Remember to ‘smile and wave’ when Karen from finance goes off about targets in the first hour. Bring back a souvenir that will remind you of your travels, exchange holiday stories with your work besties and take frequent breaks between tasks. While you’re at it, might as well participate in some holiday cleaning such as decluttering your desk and answering your pending emails.
Zone Out
Returning to work is one thing, but getting back to the office drama is a whole different headspace to tap into. Don’t let the energy vampires at your workplace leave you exhausted and distracted, instead when you sense that the conversation is getting overwhelming—zone out. And stay there till you’re back at your desk.
Make A Task Priority List
The feeling of having a mountain of tasks lined up but not knowing where to start can be paralysing. Putting pen to paper and making a to-do list can give structure to your thoughts and help you regain a sense of control over your day. Start with the tasks that come with tight deadlines and then move on to the less timely ones throughout the day.
Be An Alien
When life gets monotonous or tasks get boring, I like to imagine myself as an alien who has taken the form of my body at that moment. Simply put, I see my situation with a fresh pair of eyes and a renewed curiosity. Have any incomplete projects from the previous year? The first week back to work can be a great time to be an alien and revisit them. Looking at your work and life from a third-person POV can give great perspective.
Plan Something Fun After Work
Give yourself an incentive to get through the workday by planning something fun to do after. Have friends over or go out for dinner; book a massage or get your nails done; catch a movie or do date night. Practice some extra self-care and be kind to yourself as you ease back into the groove of your work life and remember, it’s never too early to start planning your next holiday.
