How to Beat the Back-to-Work Blues
The summer is winding down, and we’re welcoming in the fall season. Heading back to work after summer vacation, long weekends, and paid time off can be a bit of a struggle. The shift from beach days, cookouts, and cozy mornings in bed to early morning alarm clocks, meetings, and an inbox full of emails can make anyone drag their feet. We know this phenomenon as the “back-to-work blues.”
And it’s not uncommon. According to a Zapier survey, 87% of workers admit that there are things they dread about returning to work after enjoying time off. When citing some of the most unpleasant tasks, workers mentioned getting back into a routine, catching up on administrative items, and feeling inundated with busy work.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s some good news: with the right workplace environment, little shifts in your routine, and a little help from the right refreshments, the back-to-work blues don’t have to stick around.
Let’s dive into why the back-to-work blues happen and how you can combat them and bounce back faster.
Why Do the Back-to-Work Blues Happen?
Post-vacation slumps are real. Studies show that many employees experience a dip in motivation, energy, and even focus when returning to work after time off. People also call this occurrence “reentry shock” or “post-time-off burnout.” Psychologists explain this is partly due to a shift from autonomy in how you spend your free time to structure when adhering to the workday schedule.
On top of that, going from flexible routines to structured days can feel overwhelming, especially when inboxes are full and projects need immediate attention. Workplaces can take proactive steps to ease the transition.
What Employees Can Do for Themselves
It’s normal to feel the back-to-work blues. Here are some helpful tips employees can try to ease the transition from vacation back to work.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Before returning to work, plan your first week, or at least your first day, back. Ensuring there isn’t much room for surprises will give you the confidence you need to get back into the swing of things. Give yourself time to catch up on any work you’ve missed, and try to minimize the amount of time you spend in morning meetings. Try time-blocking your tasks in your calendar to help you stay on-task. Be sure to get to bed early so you have the energy you need to get you through that first workday back.
Form New Work Habits
You may have been out of the office for a while, and getting back into your routine can be difficult. That’s why it’s a great time to create new workplace habits.
Break up the day by taking regular breaks in between tasks. Several studies show that taking regular breaks at work can reduce stress and increase productivity. Think about how you can make the most out of your breaks by spending some time outside or going for a brief walk.
It’s also good to make a habit out of minimizing distractions. Try to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone, especially. You can block distracting apps or turn off your notifications when you need to focus. If you need to bring out the big guns, leave your phone in another room or a desk drawer.
Connect with Coworkers
When you’re feeling down, it’s easy to isolate yourself, but that can often make matters worse. Connecting with the people around you is a great way to boost your mood. Try to take time away from your desk during coffee or lunch breaks and socialize with your colleagues. It’s a great time to exchange vacation stories and see what everyone’s been up to while you’ve been away.
What Employers Can Do for Employees
Employees can do all the planning and rearranging in the world, but employers can also do things to make associate’s transitions easier. Here are some ways you can make your workplace the best it can be and help employees shift back into their work schedules.
Start with Coffee
There’s no warmer welcome than the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. When you provide your employees with high-quality coffee options, you can help ease the adjustment from PTO to in-office work.
Coffee is a part of so many people’s morning routines. Coming back to work feels that little bit better when there’s the comfort of a familiar morning ritual. Consider elevating your coffee selection. Offer seasonal flavors, like pumpkin spice in the fall and peppermint mochas in the winter. These small touches can make employees feel valued and give them something to look forward to each morning.
For the non-coffee drinkers, a vibrant tea selection, sparkling water, and great ready-to-drink beverages can also provide your workers with comfort and energy.
Encourage Breaks with the Right Snacks
The first few days back from a vacation can feel long, and employees need pick-me-ups throughout the day. When you offer energizing snack options that promote focus, you set up your associates for success.
Protein-rich and fresh food options can give people the energy they need to get through the day. Having these options readily available in a pantry or micro-market means employees don’t have to push through hunger or settle for snacks sure to give them a sugar crash later on. Providing snacks also shows that the company is invested in employee well-being, something that makes people feel more motivated to do great work.
Make Lunch Breaks Worth It
The lunch hour is another great opportunity to break up the day. Instead of employees rushing out for fast food or skipping lunch altogether, they can have convenient, fresh, and varied meal options right at work.
When employees can enjoy fresh food like sandwiches, wraps, and salads, they’re more likely to recharge and return to work motivated to do their best.
Workplaces that provide food-options on-site also encourage socialization, collaboration, and team bonding. Sharing a meal fosters connection, and people need that after the stress of jumping back into work after time away.
Make Hydration Easy
One of the most overlooked causes of fatigue is dehydration. When employees aren’t drinking enough water, they feel sluggish, tired, and less focused. These are all things that can make the back-to-work blues even worse.
Workplaces can help by making hydration effortless. By implementing sparkling and still water stations, infused and flavored waters, and reusable water bottle programs, you can help employees feel hydrated and recharged throughout the workday.
Foster Breaktime Connections
Sometimes it takes more than a good snack to beat the back to work blues. People need the moments food creates. Designing spaces where employees can gather for coffee breaks or quick bites encourages connection.
Coffee bars, pantry spaces, or comfortable micro-market areas invite employees to pause, chat, and reset. These small breaks have the power to improve morale and spark creativity and collaboration.
Listen to Employee Feedback
One of the best ways to engage employees is to ask what they want. Simple surveys or suggestion boxes about snack and coffee preferences can go a long way in making people feel heard.
When associates see their favorite snacks or the tea they requested in the breakroom, they feel valued. These small gestures can make the back-to-work period a lot brighter.
Promote Wellness
Beating the back-to-work blues isn’t just about what happens at the desk. It’s about a holistic workplace culture. Encouraging wellness practices like walking meetings, stretch breaks, or even quick meditation sessions can complement the food and beverages you provide.
Pairing these with nutritious offerings shows that the company cares for every aspect of well-being.
Celebrate the Small Wins
Finally, remember that getting back into the groove takes time. Workplaces can help by celebrating small wins, whether that’s making it through a busy week or finishing a big project.
Coffee bars, snack pop-ups, or surprise lunches can feel like rewards and reminders that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. These gestures turn the office into a place employees want to be and not just somewhere they have to be.
The back-to-work blues are real, but they don’t have to define the transition from vacation to work. With the right mix of great coffee, energizing snacks, and thoughtful food programs, workplaces can transform the return into something positive and even exciting.
At Canteen, we believe food and coffee fuel the day, but also fuel people. When employees feel refreshed, supported, and cared for, they’re happier, more productive, more engaged, and better connected.
So the next time the blues roll around, remember: the solution might just be as simple as a good cup of coffee and sharing a snack with a coworker.
Get started with Canteen today and implement any of these great solutions in your workplace.