Five Tips to Survive That Mini-Vacation Hangover
In Jordan, we recently had a lovely long weekend because of Labor Day (Belated Happy Labor Day everyone!). Some people I know chose to visit local resorts and destinations to spend their time with family and friends. The photos they shared via social media were evidence of wonderful times, great food, site-seeing and other fun-filled activities.
The only problem with such a weekend is this: you come back to your weekly routine!!
And you come back exhausted.
If that applies to you, you have what is called "vacation hangover". Yes, my friend, you have a hangover although you probably had not a drop of alcohol.
What does that mean?
Generally speaking, you come back from that oh-so-fantastic trip exhausted- the good kind which is full of fond memories of dancing divas ;), but exhausted nevertheless. You have to put away your stuff, do laundry, prepare for the next day, maybe run some errands and do a little shopping as well.
The next day, you return to work. Tired. Depleted. Waiting for that coffee to kick in. And you have distant memories of being full of energy.
However, you can counter this hangover with following these tips:
1- Hydrate. It is easy to skip your regular 8 cups of water (or your appropriate # of cups) while on vacation. If you did, you may want to be quick to pour yourself a glass of H2O, and repeat throughout your work week ... um ... life. Being sufficiently hydrated keeps you invigorated, flushes out that extra weight (I know you binged), replenishes your skin (even if you remembered to dab on that SPF), and relieves headaches.
2- Sleep. You probably also skipped a few hours of rejuvenating night Z's. So now that you're back and you need to help your body return to its daily rhythm. Try going to sleep a bit early during the week, and catch a couple of power naps during the day. Even at work. Yes, at work. Never underestimate the power of a 5-minute shut eyes during your work day. Do it in the bathroom, or in your office, or even with your sunglasses on. But do set an alarm! Really! I don't want you to get fired or something!
3- Befriend the sun. Sit in the morning/ afternoon sun. Exposure to daylight can reboot your brain and cells, and wake them up. Your cells are sun-powered mini systems, so make sure you get enough rays every day for maximum health and alertness.
4- Stock up on those fruits and veggies. Whatever diet you follow, make sure to add a few more servings of them vitamin-packed, fiber-filled healthy original fast foods. Keep a bag of carrots and cucumbers with you and enjoy eating them with some refreshing yogurt. Make a smoothie or a salad. Go wild my friend, the sky is the limit!
5- Relax. Whenever possible. And beside the obvious, you can make use of your commuting time to relax. If you are driving, listen to your favorite tunes via headphones (to drown out the honking and cussing outside, or noisy twins inside), and enjoy being stuck in traffic. You don't have control over everything, but relaxing during rush hour is your decision. To maximize your resting routine, make sure to watch your breath; count inhales and exhales to calm your mind and invigorate your body.
And if you have children, make sure to engage them with you while you undo your exhaustion. Set the example on healthy and mindful habits, and the little ones shall follow your lead.
Going on vacation no matter how short is a great opportunity to break the daily routine and refresh your senses. Don't let this mini hangover deprive you from enjoying your time at home and work. Keep those tips in mind when planning your next out-of-town adventure, or keep returning to them any time you feel similar exhaustion kick in.
May the fourth be with you!
