FIRST DAY BACK TIPS TO BEAT THE POST-HOLIDAY BLUES

AND just like that we're back. Back to work. Back to commuting. Far from shimmering coves and leafy bush walks. As I've been ba...


AND just like that we're back. Back to work. Back to commuting. Far from shimmering coves and leafy bush walks.

As I've been back a week and am already interstate ready for two solid days of work meetings on Monday and Tuesday, I thought I'd share how I eased into the first working week of the new year.

1. SORT OUT THE INBOX
I filed and cleared a swag of emails from my inbox before the holidays. If you haven't done it already, make it your 'must-do' of the first day back.

Create a filing or tagging system for your emails. Anything that can't be automatically deleted move into those files, or tag accordingly. If there are items you have been procrastinating over, find a way to get rid of them.

If it's a piece of information you wish to store, find another way, like creating a digital note or index file in an app like Evernote. If you can't handle another online password, go analogue. Duck into a stationery supplies store and buy an indexed notebook and write down your must-keep notes.

2. PLAN A HEALTHY ROUTINE
I don't know about you, but my eating and exercise habits really took a hit at the end of the year. I was tired and stressed and it makes for the worst decisions. Bought lunches, too many coffees, too many sweet treats. Not only was it bad for me, it was costly. I have mentally added up what the weekly spend was - you don't want to know.

First week back I did a healthy shop of foods I could easily carry to work and would look forward to through the day. I added a herbal tea for those times an afternoon caffeine craving might strike so I'd have a better alternative. Though I didn't add a gym routine to the first week back, I have one planned for week two. One thing at a time, right?

3. PLAN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Post-holiday blues can hit pretty hard in that first week. My partner and I have already been talking about scheduling weekend adventures close to home, but also a bit further afield so we have things to look forward to. They're simple things, like a bush walk somewhere new or a bike ride to a cafe for breakfast, to bigger things like a weekend away camping. They're fun to plan and knowing you've got them in the calendar helps when those workplace niggles start to bite.

4. BOOK TIME OUT WITH A MATE
I messaged a girlfriend I knew was in the city to see whether she had time for lunch during the week. Even though I'd planned a week of healthy lunches, I allowed for a lunch date to socialise and check both brain and body out of the office. When I take a packed lunch I tend to stay in the office and eat it - especially when the weather is wet and windy, like it was in Sydney last week. It means I end up taking calls, talking shop and not getting up and out to stretch the legs. Booking in a lunch date is the perfect circuit breaker.

Each of the above are no brainers and I am sure you have your own versions of getting across your constant to-do lists and ways to maintain your physical and mental health at work. Whatever you do, if tomorrow's your first day back at work this year, or perhaps, like me, your second, I hope you're able to ease your way back in.


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