Feeling the Post-Holiday Blues? Simple Ways to Ease Back Into Life
For many people, the hardest part of a holiday isn’t leaving Lanzarote — it’s coming home to normal life afterwards.
After late nights, relaxed mornings, days at the beach and fewer commitments, getting back to work, school and everyday responsibilities can feel like a shock to the system. This is often described as post-holiday syndromeor the post-vacation blues.
Health professionals in the Canary Islands say that this reaction is generally a temporary adjustment to returning to normal routines rather than a recognised clinical disorder. Common feelings can include tiredness, low motivation, irritability, difficulty concentrating and a general reluctance to get back into everyday life.
And for those returning from a relaxing Lanzarote holiday, the contrast can be particularly noticeable.
Don’t try to do everything at once
One of the biggest mistakes after a holiday is attempting to return immediately to exactly the same pace as before.
The advice from specialists is to make the transition gradually. Instead of filling the first day back with work, appointments and jobs that have accumulated while you’ve been away, give yourself some breathing space where possible.
That could mean tackling the most important jobs first and leaving less urgent tasks for later.
The same applies to your personal life. There’s no need to restart every hobby, exercise routine and social commitment on the same day.
Get your sleep schedule back on track
Holiday routines can be very different from everyday life.
Late dinners, evening entertainment and sleeping later can quickly become normal when you’re enjoying a holiday in Lanzarote. Returning to early mornings can therefore take a little adjustment.
Experts recommend gradually returning to regular sleeping and eating times rather than suddenly cutting back on rest. Maintaining good sleep habits is one of the basic ways of making the transition back to routine easier.
Keep some of the good things from your holiday
Returning to work doesn’t mean everything enjoyable has to stop.
If you spent your holiday walking, swimming, reading, enjoying outdoor spaces or meeting friends, try to keep some of those activities in your normal routine.
For people living in Lanzarote, this can be particularly easy. A walk along the coast, an evening outdoors, meeting friends for coffee or simply spending time away from screens can provide a useful break from work and responsibilities.
Health professionals also recommend maintaining social and leisure activities after returning from holiday rather than allowing everyday responsibilities to take over completely.
Don’t forget about food and exercise
Holidays often mean eating at different times, enjoying more restaurant meals and perhaps drinking more than usual.
Getting back to a balanced diet and regular meal times can help restore a sense of routine. Physical activity is also recommended as part of preparing for the return to normal life.
You don’t necessarily need to launch straight into an intense fitness programme. A daily walk, swimming or another activity you enjoy can be a much easier way to get moving again.
September doesn’t have to mean changing everything
For many people, the end of summer feels like a second New Year.
There’s suddenly a list of things to fix: join a gym, completely change your diet, organise the house, start a new hobby and become more productive.
But putting too much pressure on yourself can make the return to normality even harder.
Instead, introduce changes gradually and set realistic expectations. The aim is to make your routine sustainable rather than attempting to transform your entire life in the first week back.
Children can struggle with the return to school too
The post-holiday adjustment isn’t just something adults experience.
Children and teenagers can also feel nervous or unsettled when returning to school after the summer break. The Canary Islands health authorities recommend gradually restoring normal sleeping and eating patterns and allowing children to talk about how they feel.
Parents can also involve children in preparations for the new school year and focus on the positive aspects of seeing friends and starting a new stage.
When should you seek help?
For most people, the post-holiday blues settle as the body and mind readjust to normal routines.
However, the specialists advise paying attention if symptoms continue for more than around two weeks or begin to have a significant effect on everyday life. In those circumstances, speaking to a healthcare or mental health professional is sensible.
The important message is that feeling a little flat after an enjoyable holiday doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Returning to normal life is an adjustment, and giving yourself time to make that adjustment can make the process considerably easier.
A little bit of Lanzarote can stay with you
Perhaps the best approach is not to see the end of your holiday as the end of everything you enjoyed.
Bring some of that holiday feeling home with you.
Keep the evening walk. Make time for friends. Spend more time outside. Eat well. Get enough sleep. And don’t expect yourself to go from Lanzarote holiday mode to full-speed everyday life overnight.
After all, getting back into a routine doesn’t mean you have to give up everything that made the holiday enjoyable.
