How to recover from back to work blues

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E veryone dreads the long dark days of January but is there any way to avoid that feeling and hold onto the benefits of your holidays? Here are some top tips from psychologist Linda Blair on how to beat the back-to-work blues and tackle blue Monday.

Is there any way to avoid that sinking feeling, and hold on to the benefits of your summer break? Here are nine steps that should help you:

Plan to return midweek. Facing a shorter week will feel less daunting.
Arrange a treat for the weekend ahead. Knowing that you have something definite to look forward to will keep your spirits up during the transition back to a work‑based routine.
Decide the date of your next holiday. That way, instead of seeing work stretching ahead interminably, you will know that you’re back for a specific period – say, three months.
Take a healthy lunch in with you, plus a large bottle of water. If you don’t plan ahead, it’s all too easy to succumb to sugary, high-calorie snacks that will leave you feeling lethargic and unhappy. Sipping water will prevent you becoming dehydrated, so you will continue to think clearly.
Allow time to organise and prepare. The minute you let people know you’re back, you’ll be inundated with requests, and you’ll start off feeling hopelessly behind. Instead, use that first day to sort the backlog and set priorities. If, for example, your first day back is Tuesday, email all your contacts to say that you’ve been on holiday and will be available again from Wednesday.
Start by allowing two hours – no more – to sort emails. Nothing kills motivation as fast as an overflowing inbox. That first day, use the first two hours to get rid of all unnecessary emails. Sort the rest by importance, rather than by date received. Then put them in a separate folder, so your inbox is clear.
Use the rest of the first morning back to make a list of the things you want to accomplish that week. Write down everything that comes to mind, in any order. Next, re-order the list by priority, cross-referring with your emails file. Do not estimate the time each item will take – you can’t know ahead when you’ll be interrupted or which tasks will become unexpectedly complicated. Stick to a priority list instead, because that way, the important things will always get done.
Take a lunch break – on your first day back, and every day from then on. Turn off all screens, and go outside into the fresh air, if possible for a brisk walk. Then enjoy the healthy lunch you took with you.
Stop work 10 minutes early – today, and every day from now on. Use that time to check your list of priorities and, as necessary, reorder them and add anything new. Leave the list out ready for the next morning, knowing you’ll start the day organised.

Use your fresh perspective to set some positive personal goals

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Make your vacation the start of an exciting new chapter

Many years ago, I worked with a colleague who did not believe in taking vacations for any longer than a week on the grounds that coming back to work after a lengthy vacation was just too painful. He had a point. Often the longer you’re away, the worse it feels to come back.

On the other hand, many other people would argue that a week-long vacation is not long enough because just at the point when you are starting to unwind, you are suddenly plunged back into the dizzy world of colleagues, commuting and conference calls.

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Regardless of whether you have taken a week off, or a month off, the first day back at work after a vacation is often a painful experience – especially if you don’t like your job. So, what can you do to relieve the return-to-work horror?

1. Quit your job. Or, at least, start looking around for something else. Research from recruiter Robert Half in Australia suggests that it is common for people to move on after they’ve had some time out – for good reason. Feeling a sense of dread at going back to the office after a period away is likely to be a sign that you should be doing something else. So, a good way to manage the back-to-work blues is to reflect on what else you might like to do with your life and be proactive about kicking off your job search. Alternatively, if you’re sick of the stress of corporate life, now might be a good time to hatch a plan to move into self-employment. Potentially, this could enable you to enjoy much longer vacations in future.

2. Book your next vacation. A less drastic option than the one above, this may be all that is required to lift your spirits since you will immediately have something to look forward to. Try not to make your next vacation too far into the future either. Frighteningly, many people don’t even take their full vacation allowance for fear of falling behind on their work, but getting into a cycle where you rarely, or never, take time off is bad for your physical and mental health. Taking lots of short vacations could be the answer since a study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests that short vacations are not necessarily better than long ones. In fact, benefits to health and wellbeing can be felt as early as two days into a break.

3. Set yourself some positive, out-of-work goals. Vacations can be a good time to reflect on what else you want from life – in addition to a thriving career, of course. Too often, we are so focused on achieving our career goals that we neglect the other things that matter to us in life, such as spending time with family and friends, indulging our hobbies, travelling for pleasure and learning new skills or languages. Coming back to the workplace after a break is a good opportunity to reset your priorities and set some new goals for the months ahead. The caveat is that these need to be positive goals that help to bring the joy back into your life, rather than punishing targets that only compound your back-to-work misery.

4. Meet up with someone you haven’t seen for a while. It could be a former colleague or a long-lost friend, but it should be someone whom you enjoy spending time with. Catching up with people you haven’t seen for a while can be a source of pleasure and it can also help to bring a fresh perspective to your life. Part of the dread associated with going back to work is linked to routine. Seeing someone you don’t normally see is a way to break that routine and feel that you are doing something different.

5. Maintain your quality downtime. This is the advice of Royston Guest, CEO of Pti Worldwide, a global consultancy and training company, and author of the book, RISE: Start living the life you were meant to lead. After a vacation, we all too easily switch back into all the bad habits that we had before – for example, being wedded to our devices and staying ‘always on’ 24/7. He says: “When you’re not working, and it’s your ‘downtime’, switch off phones, tablets and laptops. Seeing a flashing red light on your phone reporting a new email message is not going to help you switch off.”

It’s natural to undergo a period of adjustment when returning to work – especially if you have had a particularly good vacation. So, go easy on yourself, avoid working long hours on your first few days back and be wary of making dramatic decisions. Nevertheless, you should also view this period as a time of opportunity to make some important changes that have a positive impact on both your career and your life. Going back to work doesn’t have to make you feel blue. It can be the start of an exciting new chapter.

Back to work blues usually sets in right before you have actually ended your holiday getaway. Among them are unpleasant, uneasy sensation in your stomach reminding you that you may in a little while be going back to work. Not everybody looks forward to getting back to the work environment after an exciting filled vacation. There should be a way to minimise all the energy and anticipation you experienced as you relax on a sunbathing lounger from disappearing all at once. In spite of this, returning to your regular employment does not need to be demoralising, therefore there is no need for you to go back to work with a sense of anxiety. As a result of your mind and focus still remaining on holiday, even though your actual physical attendance is definitely and certainly needed at the workplace. Typically, these types of sentiments are short-term, weeks of adaptation as you familiarise yourself with your everyday regular work routine. There are a selection of things you can try out to combat the back to work blues, as you relax back into work.

These are some simple tips to eliminate back to work blues:

Blues are short-lived

Keep in mind that after probably one week, you will find yourself over the blues, and even in a position to engage yourself in your working life yet again. Be very easy on your self for the very first week you return. You can have a therapeutic massage, go to sleep for a longer time or simply engage in anything that gives you excitement.

Arrange anything pleasurable after work

It is advisable to ease yourself back to work gradually, therefore organise something pleasant for the late evening after the first day back at work. Perhaps a fantastic dinner or maybe a visit to the movies. Put aside anything to look forward to.

Select a specific relaxation time

It will help to always keep the body and mind in good condition. The amount of time or the technique you use in doing this may have to vary, based on which relaxation medium you decide on. However, it is vital that you still find the time for this during your few weeks of going back to work.

Plan and package your next holiday vacation

Holiday period generally create sensations that our day-to-day occupations tend not to. The most convenient approach to eliminating those impressions of back to work blues, would be to get right into arranging the next holiday. Even though you may very well be looking at a short weekend break getaway, you should have another thing to plan for.

Try eating healthy

Make an effort to greatly improve your daily diet, in addition to steering clear of stimulants when you possibly can. Too much caffeinated drinks could cause you to experience restlessness or agitation.

Consume more water

Drinking water tends to make us appear more energised, that it may really help to improve your mental attitude.

Maintain active brain

Do not belong to the few people who choose to sit back and simply wait around for the post-holiday blues and even loss of focus to pass by. To continue to keep the brain active at work, you should: keep yourself properly hydrated or your productivity might greatly reduce. Spend time practising breathing exercises to oxygenate the brain and increase alertness. Include at a minimum less than 30 minutes of sunbathing daily to raise the serotonin levels. Eat healthier foods, include different berries and many types of nuts, and have frequent breaks to achieve efficiency.

A set routine for those working from home

In case you decide to work from home, resettling back to the daily routine could be more challenging. The fact you have no one else to assign to you any set routine, may make you struggle with post holiday blues. You may start by scrubbing the floor or doing something else, instead of concentrating on your work. To eliminate the back to work blues, you should start by tidy up your regular work-space, create a routine. Leave the house for lunch break if necessary.

Exercise routine

Visiting the gym or pilates classes or doing a a few mile run. Alternatively going for 30 minutes walk could make you feel much better. Your physical health and fitness circulates directly into your mental wellness, enabling you to be more effective and focus a lot more. Individuals will have the ability to better manage pressure when their systems are in good physical shape. Including sessions of routine workouts into your exercise program helps to develop muscle control, allow you to experience more satisfaction, look healthier and can boost self confidence.

Socialise

A good number of scientific studies have connected mental health to social life. Many people are not happy and are stressed out to go out after they return from a vacation. It is possible to eliminate the back to work blues by planning social nights out, subscribe to a club, or possibly be a volunteer for a a non-profit organisation.

Concentrate on a completely new project

You may basically need an exciting activity one day each week to keep your brain working actively again as well as keep the body in good health. Consider fast paced dancing, gardening or maybe anything outdoors. It could be work connected or even you can work with any professional bodies or perhaps shadow another worker from a different department? To be active by concentrating on new projects is crucial to feeling full of life, therefore eliminating the back to work blues.

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How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Going back to work after a vacation is often a stressful and demotivating experience, as your head and heart remain on vacation whilst your physical presence is well and truly required at work. This article discusses some quick solutions to ease the pain of returning to work after time out enjoying what the rest of the world has to offer.
STEPS:

Accept the importance of being present. Turning up with a holiday mindset can cause problems at work, ranging from lack of concentration on the tasks at hand to forgetting appointments and the names of new clients. Your colleagues and bosses might give you a little leeway, especially if some are in the same position, but not for long! Accept that you’ve had a great break and that you’re marvelously refreshed; now it’s time to get on with what you’re good at in a work environment.

1. Tidy up.
If you left a mess before you went on vacation, shame on you, but now’s the time to remedy it! Upon your return, ease back into work by spending a morning or day organizing your space.

Tidy up your desk space, shelves and files.
Clean out the in-box and electronic files.

Be in great shape for the next months ahead by using your current holiday energy to sweep away the cobwebs of the tired, pre-vacation you. Returning to this more efficient and tidy work system and space will make you feel better each day of the rest of the week.

2. Exercise.
You probably have heard many times that exercise is the answer to everything—that’s because it’s often true! Going to the gym or pilates class, taking a 5 mile (8.0 km) run, or simply walking for a half hour will make you feel a lot better. Your physical well-being flows back into your emotional well-being and helps you to work better and focus more.

3. Plan the next vacation.
It can help the transition if you start making plans immediately for the next vacation experience. Call into a travel agent at lunchtime or set up a new travel planning itinerary on your favorite travel website when you get home that evening. Doing this might give you a renewed sense of adventure and make work seem less onerous; after all, work pays for those plane flights!

4. Plan the next weekend away.
Yes, get out again the weekend following your return. Wash the clothes and unpack the larger bags during the weeknights so that your next weekend is free to enjoy.

Take a much smaller bag and drive on down to a local beach, forest or desert retreat to unwind and recall those blissful easy vacation days of a week before.
Take work with you only if you must.
If you find that the mini-vacation/break works for you, try to make it a regular arrangement and take the work along if it fits in without spoiling the experience.

5. Reassess.
If work is really continuing to get you down on your return, your reaction may be telling you something a lot more serious, like it’s time to move on.
Ask yourself some honest and direct questions about whether the job is challenging you enough and is fulfilling your wishes at this time in life. If the answers are no, maybe it’s time to buff up the resume, butter up the referees and get out and advertise yourself for a new job.

Return to work on a Tuesday, mid-week, or when a long weekend immediately follows work return. The fewer days at work help to create a sense of space and time that you can deal with mentally, rather than having to slog it out over a long week.
Get updates from a friend at work about what you missed. This will help you to feel more comfortable about where things are at since you left for vacation, as well as giving the two of you an excuse to catch up for morning coffee. Ideally, catch up for breakfast before you go back to work, to avoid any nasty surprises.
Don’t get upset if your in-box is overflowing. “Jane, I thought you were supposed to take care of the work orders while I was gone!” Instead of jumping on Jane, take a quick break until you calm down.
If you work from home, resettling back in the routine can be harder because there is nobody else to set your routine to, and you can be tempted to keep dealing with post-vacation cleaning and reminiscing. As stated above, clean up your usual workspace, set yourself a routine, and plan a routine. Get out of the house for lunch if needed.

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How to beat the back-to-work blues

Going back to work after a break can be really hard, whether it’s dreading your first day back at work after a brilliant summer holiday, or returning to your desk in a dark and miserable January after all the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

It isn’t always easy to avoid the back to work blues, but there are some simple things that you can do that will help you cope with the transition back to work after your holiday. Read on to find out more about our top tips to help you have a better first day back at work.

Tip 1: Get organised before you go

If colleagues and customers don’t know you are away, they are more likely to get frustrated if they don’t get a reply from you during your holiday. Set up your out-of-office response to manage their expectations and reduce the number of grumpy “chaser” emails clogging your inbox. You may not completely avoid the back to work blues, but doing this will certainly help your stress levels when you get back to work.

If a colleague is standing in for you or looking after your work while you are away, make sure that you plan enough time to brief them on any important tasks, meetings, issues and deadlines. It’s always a good idea to provide them with a to-do list or a written brief, just in case anything slips their mind while you are out of the office. That way you should be able to minimise any unwanted “I’m sorry to disturb you while you are off but…” interruptions on your holiday and any unnecessary crises on your return.

Tip 2: Give yourself a “buffer day”

We’ve all had that slightly panicky feeling you get when you decide to maximise your holiday and go back to work at the very last possible moment. But while this is very tempting, it can make things really stressful. If you’ve ever had the experience of stuffing the washing machine with holiday laundry with one hand while simultaneously working your way through your email backlog and shouting at the kids to find their school shoes, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

If you can, give yourself a day or two reacclimatise to things after your break and before going back to work. A little extra time will help reduce the stress of trying to juggle the post-holiday blues, your return to your daily domestic routine and going back to work all at once. By allowing yourself a bit more time and space to get back into the swing of things more gradually, you are more likely to feel relaxed and grounded when the time comes to go back to work after your holiday.

Tip 3: Take control of your inbox

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues One of the worst things about coming back to work after having taken time off is the number of emails you have to plough through on your return, it can seem like a mammoth task. Take control by scheduling time in your diary to go through your inbox, prioritise what you need to do and delete anything that you don’t. Allocate yourself time to draw up a list of things that need to be addressed during your first day or so back at work and work through them systematically. Ticking off even the smallest task you have completed really helps you get back into the swing of things and gives you a sense of satisfaction.

Some people advocate going through your emails at home before you go back to work, but this can be risky. Scanning your inbox may help you get ahead of the game, but then again you might discover something that spoils the last day of your holiday. So this one is up to you!

Tip 4: Take it easy when you first go back to work

If possible, try to avoid putting yourself under too much pressure when you first return to work and aim to settle back in gradually. By doing this, you can set yourself smaller goals that will make starting back easier. For example, you might be able to arrange for your first day back to be later in the week, rather than starting on a Monday. Just working a couple of days can be much easier to face than a full week, making your first day back to work after your holiday much less daunting. Also try to keep your first couple of days light: diarise time to catch up with colleagues on what has been happening while you have been away and avoid big, stressful meetings or decisions immediately after your return.

Tip 5: Live the good life

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues Time off from work is a fantastic opportunity to break out of your day-to-day routine, meet up with old and new friends and generally take life at a different pace. Good food, good drink and late nights are all part of the fun, but can make the transition back to working life even harder. If you are feeling the impact of the back to work blues or are a little jaded after your break, it might be worth trying a more mindful post-holiday approach to health and wellbeing. Nourish yourself with healthy, wholesome food , drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and get plenty of sleep. It won’t be as much fun as being on holiday, but it will help you feel healthier, better balanced and more able to deal with the back to work blues.

Whether you’ve been for a fortnight in the sun or just hanging out with family over Christmas, holidays are one of the great pleasures of life. Don’t spoil your time off stressing about your return to work: plan ahead, give yourself some time and be good to yourself to keep those back to work blues at bay.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Pantai, bersantai, makanan, dan jalan-jalan, sungguh sangat berat untuk berpisah

dengan hal yang kita nikmati selama liburan dan harus kembali berhubungan

dengan tugas dan pekerjaan yang sudah menumpuk. Liburan panjang sudah

selesai, kini saatnya kembali ke kehidupan sehari hari yang penuh dengan kerja

keras dan tantangan. Apakah kamu sudah siap untuk menghadapi back to work

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

1. Ubah Mindset saat kamu sedang bekerja.

Datang bekerja dengan holiday mindset bisa menimbulkan masalah, kurangnya

konsentrasi saat bekerja hingga lupa akan meeting penting dengan klien.

Terimalah kenyataan bahwa kamu sudah selesai menjalani liburan yang

menyenangkan dan sudah saatnya kamu kembali melakukan hal hal yang

menakjubkan dengan kemampuanmu dalam bekerja!

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Bekerja di lingkungan yang berantakan akan membuatmu lebih susah fokus

dengan pekerjaanmu, sempatkan waktu untuk merapikan meja kerja, kantor,

hingga data-data di komputermu.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

3. Planning dan membuat to do list

Buatlah perencanaan dan target yang harus kamu capai di saat bekerja.

Kerjakan tugas tugas yang sulit dan paling menguras tenaga di awal dan

membuat to do list bisa membuatmu lebih fokus dengan hal hal yang harus kamu

kerjakan sekarang dan selesaikan nanti. Buatlah prioritas akan tugas mana yang

harus kamu selesaikan terlebih dahulu.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Kamu sudah tau bahwa berolahraga bisa menjadi jawaban untuk semua

masalah! Kadang kita bisa berpikir lebih jernih ketika sedang jogging atau

setelah menyelesaikan olahraga yang menguras tenaga. Fisik yang sehat juga

akan memberikan ketenangan emosional dan membantu mu bekerja lebih baik.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

5. Rencanakan liburan berikutnya!

Merencanakan liburan berikutnya akan membuatmu lebih bersemangat setiap

harinya, karena ada liburan yang akan menunggu mu setelah kamu selesai

dengan semua kerja keras ini. Hal ini mendorong mu untuk terus berusaha

dalam pekerjaan, karena akhirnya kerja keras mu lah yang akan membayar

semua biaya biaya selama liburanmu kan?

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Because when you work hard, only then, you can enjoy your holiday harder!

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By now, many of us would have gone back to work after getting a couple of weeks off to enjoy the sun and with family and friends.

That feeling of getting back into a routine and the thought of the long year ahead may leave us feeling a little lethargic.

So is there a possible way to make this work year a little more bearable?

Travel Journalist Debbie Griffiths spoke to The AM Show.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller said on Tuesday she was back at work after recovering from COVID-19, a case that helped encourage White House officials to start wearing masks and take stricter safety precautions around President Donald Trump.

Miller, who is married to Trump’s hawkish immigration adviser and speech writer Stephen Miller, said she had returned after receiving three negative tests for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

“Thank you to all my amazing doctors and everyone who reached out with support. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing husband who took great care of his pregnant wife,” she said in a post on Twitter.

Miller contracted the virus in early May, raising alarm about the spread of the virus among Trump’s and Pence’s inner circle shortly after the president’s valet had also tested positive.

The two cases prompted the White House to direct staff to wear masks and take additional precautions.

Previously, despite admonitions to Americans to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines, many administration officials were not doing so themselves at least at the White House, where testing has been taking place regularly.

“We’re very happy to see her recovered,” White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters about the vice president’s press secretary.

McEnany said Stephen Miller was also back at work after having self-quarantined. She said she did not know whether the military valet had returned and said she had no updates on whether anyone else on the staff had tested positive.

Trump, 73, is in an age group considered especially vulnerable to the virus. He has declined to wear a mask in public and has stepped up his travel schedule in recent weeks as he seeks to get the country’s economy reignited from its pandemic-related shutdown.

Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Tom Brown

Suffering from the post-vacation blues? Here’s how to ease the re-entry into your regular life.

For many people, a vacation is like a trip into space. The nerve-wracking blastoff takes place only after weeks of careful planning. Then a few days of serenity and peace are followed by a harrowing re-entry. The old routine may feel like the force of gravity after days of weightlessness — a familiar burden that suddenly feels harder to bear. But with a bit of planning, you may find that you actually did get some rest on vacation and you are ready to resume your regular life again.

Tip No. 1: Plan a Smooth Return

A vacation meant to be relaxing actually can create post-vacation stress. Careful planning certainly can help the vacation itself go smoother, but a good recovery strategy afterward is essential.

Janet Keeler has learned to leave herself at least one free day after vacation before returning to work. As the food and travel editor of the St. Petersburg Times, she is never entirely free of her job.

“With a cell phone and Wi-Fi, we’re more connected to work than ever before,” she says.

On top of that, she and her husband Scott, a photographer for the paper, like to come back from vacation with at least one travel story, and maybe a story and some pictures for the food section too.

During a recent three-week vacation to California, for example, they visited “John Steinbeck country,” taking pictures of Cannery Row and other places significant in the writer’s life and fiction. Having the story all but written when she returns to work will help her get caught up.

She also made a point of going into the office on Sunday and plowing through the 1,000 emails that awaited her attention.

“I deleted about 95% of them,” she says.

But the rigors of re-entry didn’t end there. There was unpacking, and laundry, and an empty refrigerator, and their son’s baseball schedule to attend to. After crossing three time zones their sleep cycle was a little off, too.

Tip No. 2: Watch Sleep and 2 Other Vacation Variables

Sleep, alcohol, and kids tend to be interrelated, says Michael Breus, PhD, author of Good Night: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health.

Continued

“Vacationing with small children can turn out to be more effort than staying at home,” says Breus, who writes a blog for WebMD.

“If you stay home, the kids have all their toys and they can run around, while in a hotel room that may not be the case.”

Kids also wake up during the night, which means a sleep shortfall for parents.

In addition, people on vacation tend to drink more alcohol and stay up later — a double whammy that easily disrupts sleep.

“Alcohol may make you fall asleep quickly, but you don’t get into the deeper stages, so you end up sleep deprived,” Breus says. “I’m not against drinking, but you have to realize the effect. If you watch the amount of alcohol and food you consume, and get to bed at a reasonable hour, and get some exercise, which will help you sleep, you might be able to get rid of your sleep debt.”

Jet lag also disrupts sleep.

“In truth, jet lag is a natural process your body should be able to get through,” Breus says. “Your body will normalize about one time zone per day.”

If you do want to use a sleep aid to help you overcome jet lag, avoid Benadryl, Breus says. “Benadryl has a long half-life, so you couldn’t pick a worse thing to take.”

Tip No. 3: Be Realistic About Your Relationship and Trip

Some couples discover that the togetherness of a vacation exposes weak spots in their relationship, according to Emma K. Viglucci, founder and president of Metropolitan Marriage and Family Therapy in New York City.

“People think their problems will go away on vacation, but your problems come with you no matter where you go,” Viglucci says. “For some people, vacation is like Christmas — everything has to be perfect, but often the vacation falls short of those expectations.”

On top of that, spending so much time together actually may create hostility and allow resentment to fester, according to Everett Worthington, PhD, professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of Humility: The Quiet Virtue.

Continued

“A vacation provides lots of little opportunities to argue,” he says. “They have to make all these decisions: Where do we go? When will we arrive? What will we do when we get there? This gives them plenty of opportunities to disagree.”

The best strategy for coping, according to Worthington, is to recognize that such friction is a part of the vacation experience.

“They must resign themselves to the fact that they are going to disagree,” he says, “and then focus on the question: Can we get past this decision so we can enjoy the rest of the vacation?”

Tip No. 4: Let Vacation Give Your Everyday Life a Boost

A vacation can help a family start eating better, according to Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, the “recipe doctor” for WebMD’s Weight Loss Clinic.

“Usually when you’re on vacation you eat out a lot, so when you come home, everyone is probably looking forward to having home-cooked meals. So embrace that, celebrate that — use it as a way to kick-start your plan for making more home-cooked meals,” Magee says. “It’s a great time to get wonderful food into your diet.”

Magee also urges people to get some exercise while on vacation. Besides contributing to sleep, exercise helps avoid weight gain brought on by those generous vacation portions.

“Some people actually come back from vacation surprised that they haven’t gained weight, even though they’ve been eating out in restaurants, because they’ve been getting exercise,” Magee says. “When you come back rested and happy, you can use that as motivation to keep exercising and preparing wholesome meals.”

Sources

SOURCES: Michael Breus, PhD, author, Good Night: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-Week Program toBetter Sleep and Better Health. Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, WebMD Weight Loss Clinic dietitian. Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT, CIT, founder and president, Metropolitan Marriage and Family Therapy, New York. Everett Worthington, PhD, professor of psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University; author, Humility: The Quiet Virtue.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues Although the Christmas and New Year holidays are behind us, there’s still plenty of summer left. And even though the sun is shining tantalisingly just outside the window, it’s hard to believe it’s already time to sit back at your desk and tackle your overflowing email inbox. Your phone is already ringing, your calendar is already flashing with meeting reminders, and your summer holiday seems like a distant memory… Do you have the ‘back to work blues’?

Why is it so hard to come back to work after the holidays?

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says, ‘While most people do take a longer break over the festive season, they’re often so busy during that time that they don’t get a chance to properly relax, take a breath, and recharge their batteries.

‘Too many of us dive straight back into work instead of gently easing ourselves back into the swing of things. We feel sad that our holiday is over, and don’t take the time to adjust to different sleeping and eating patterns that often change over the holidays. When we do this, we quickly start to feel exhausted, stressed, and depressed.’

How do I know if I have the back to work blues?

Back to work blues can come in many forms. Some people feel disorientated and have a go-slow attitude. Others lose motivation for their work, or feel resentful about having to return. On top of that, many people feel irritable, find themselves in a bad mood, or even suffer headaches or other physical manifestations of stress.

‘One way of alleviating the pressure of back to work blues is to have something to look forward to – like booking in your next holiday’, says Ms Clements. ‘Usually, that will be enough to help you to focus, think positively about the future, and reduce your current feelings of stress about work.’

Some tips to keep you feeling positive and less stressed

The Mental Health Foundation has the following tips to reduce back to work blues:

Take the first two days slowly – Reply to emails, catch up on phone calls, and then head home for some R&R. Plunging straight back into the thick of things will only increase your stress levels.
Create a harmonious work environment – Organise your workspace; have something personal that you like, or photos of friends and family on your desk. Set a favourite picture as your screen saver.
Think about your personal growth – Do you have any skills that you would like to develop further? Why not enrol in a learning course this year? It doesn’t have to be work related!
Review your job – Is it still fulfilling your needs and does it still challenge you? Ask your manager for a job review. Speak about your wants and needs for the role. Discuss any areas of work you are finding difficult.
Take time out – Make sure you have at least 15 minutes a day to yourself. Go for a short walk or read a bit of a good book.
Get organised – Get up earlier so you don’t have to rush; set aside time for processing emails; break large projects into small steps.
After work activities – It’s summer, so enjoy the light-filled evenings, arrange sporting or social activities with friends and family so you have something to look forward to after work or at weekends.
Look after yourself – Get more sleep, take part in more physical activity and eat better this year. It will help you to think more clearly and to feel less stressed and more relaxed.

Where to get help if you need it

While it’s not unusual to feel blue when you first get back to work, it’s not usual for this feeling to continue. If you do continue to feel this way for more than two weeks and you constantly feel down and tearful for no apparent reason, please speak to someone you trust or see your GP for help. You can also phone the following numbers for advice:

Lifeline on 0800 543 354
Youthline on 0800 376 633
The depression support line on 0800 111 757

on 19th August 2016

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues Image: Flickr

As the summer months draw to a close, it’s a sad truth that many employees will be reluctantly returning to work ready to pick up activity in the run-up to Christmas. For organisations, while it’s positive to have more staff back in the office; recent research from CV-Library reveals that over half of UK workers would be more likely to think about changing jobs after a holiday and time away from the office. Not the best news for UK companies.

That said, it’s not all doom and gloom and there is action that businesses can take to help workers overcome the ‘back to work blues’. From providing enough time for workers to catch up, to motivation techniques, below, I offer my advice on the simple steps that can be taken to ease employees back into work after a holiday.

Give staff enough time to catch up

Our research tells us that employees feel much better if they have time to catch up thoroughly when they return to the workplace. From catching up on emails and projects, to speaking with team members about what’s been going on, employees that are given time to get their head in the zone are likely to be more productive in the following days. We also found that the majority of workers would benefit from having an update meeting on return, and enough time to create a priority list. Ensuring you accommodate these needs can work wonders and help workers feel more positive about their return to work after a summer break.

Arrange 1:1 catch-ups

According to our study, employees worry about dealing with work stress when they return to the workplace, so addressing this head on is extremely important, especially given that stress is one of the key factor that influences an employees’ decision on whether to stay at or leave a company. All too often employers are guilty of waiting until stress levels begin to bubble over before actually addressing them and this can have negative effects, not only on the wellbeing of staff, but also, on overall business productivity. Keeping an eye on staff who have returned from a break and arranging 1:1 catch-ups to discuss how they’re feeling can work wonders.

Keep workers motivated

During employee check-ins it’s good to have an informal discussion around their career goals, where they see themselves in the future and how they plan to get there. After all, our research found that workers find staying motivated difficult when they return to work after a summer break. When employees are working towards a goal they are far more likely to feel motivated and ready to make a valuable contribution to the business. Some companies approach this in a savvy way by conducting their annual review process in March so that six-month check-ins can be made in September – a good time to catch up with staff after the holiday season.

Offer flexible working

Returning to thousands of emails that need to be addressed can be daunting for employees, especially if they’re expected to get cracking on with work straight away. This alone can prompt employees to fear returning to work but some report that their worries could be eased with the opportunity to work flexible hours when they come back from holiday. While this might seem like a big ask, 70.1% of employees admitted to struggling when trying to get back into a routine after a summer break, so doing all you can to help them adjust could mean that they’ll get back into the swing of things much quicker.

It’s clear that the post-summer blues can get Brits down, with many struggling to readjust to the working day. While it is certainly not ideal to allow workers to continue with a relaxed attitude towards their job, cutting some slack and addressing the problem head on is the only way to increase morale and get the most out of existing employees. Otherwise, businesses risk them looking for a new job elsewhere.

By Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

I spent years training as a psychologist, waiting for the day I would graduate and finally have time to explore my second passion—writing.

When I opened a private practice I left my mornings free, and over the next fourteen years I wrote six screenplays, two novels, and a children’s book. But mostly I wrote letters, thousands of them, to agents, editors, and producers, asking them to read my work.

They rejected every manuscript I sent them.

After fourteen years of rejection, my mood, my confidence, my motivation, and my hope of ever being published or produced were fading. I felt too drained, too wounded to continue writing. I knew I needed to heal.

Since I was a psychologist, my first move was to check out the latest research on rejection. I was especially curious to see if anything was known about why rejections cause such strong emotional pain. (As we all know, social and romantic rejections can be excruciating.)

What I found was rather surprising. Functional MRI studies have revealed that the same areas of the brain become activated when we experience rejection as when we experience physical pain. In other words, rejections hurt because they literally mimic physical pain in our brain.

I also discovered there are five things we can do to soothe the emotional pain rejections elicit, as well as to speed our psychological recovery:

1. Stop the bleeding.

One of the most common reactions people have to a rejection is to become self-critical. We list all our faults, lament all our shortcomings, and chastise ourselves endlessly. Romantic rejections cause some of us to employ an inner dialogue so harsh that it verges on abusive. We then convince ourselves we somehow deserve it.

Yet, by kicking our self-esteem when it’s already down, we are only making our psychological injury worse, deepening our emotional wounds, and significantly delaying our recovery.

2. Revive your self-worth.

The best way to restore confidence, motivation, and especially self-esteem after a bruising rejection is to use a self-affirmation exercise. Self-affirmations remind us of our actual skills and abilities and by doing so, affirm our value in the domain in which we experienced the rejection.

The exercise has two steps. First, make a list of qualities you have you know have value, and second, write a brief essay about one of them. (I wrote about what I believed was my strongest attribute as a writer—my perseverance.) By writing a couple of paragraphs about one of our strengths, we remind ourselves of what we have to offer and revive our self-esteem.

3. Connect to those who appreciate and love you.

Getting rejected also destabilizes our ‘need to belong,’ which is why we often feel so unsettled and restless after a romantic or social rejection. Our need to ‘belong’ dates back to our days of living in small nomadic tribes, when being away from our tribe was always dangerous and sitting among them was a source of comfort.

One way to settle ourselves after a rejection is to reach out to our core group—be they friends, colleagues, or family members—to get emotional support from them and remind ourselves we’re valued, loved, and wanted.

4. Assess potential changes.

At times we might need to reassess our strategy, especially after multiple rejections (or in my case, many hundreds).

Perhaps the friends who’ve fixed us up with romantic prospects who are never interested aren’t the best matchmakers. Maybe our online profile or pictures need to be updated, or it’s possible we’re getting rejected from potential jobs because we need to brush up our interview skills.

My own aha moment (an insight that was obvious to everyone except me) came when a writer friend said to me, “Fourteen years, huh? Have you thought maybe you should skip the novels and write about psychology, since you know, that’s what you do…?”

5. Try again soon.

Another common reaction to rejection is to avoid any situation that might expose us to additional pain. We might not want to date for a while, or go on new job interviews, or make new friends, or in my case, start another writing project.

But that’s an impulse we have to fight.

Avoiding situations only makes us more fearful of them. Hesitant as I was to start writing again, I decided to heed my friend’s advice. I did a few months of research and started writing again. This time, it was a non-fiction proposal for a psychology/self-help book.

I held my breath and sent it to an agent. She liked it and submitted it to several publishing houses.

They did not reject it.

Rejection is a form of psychological injury, one that can and should be treated. The next time your feelings hurt after a rejection, take action, treat your emotional wounds, and heal.

ST. LOUIS — Blues defenceman Jay Bouwmeester says he has returned to St. Louis and is recovering from a cardiac episode during a game last week.

The Blues released a statement from Bouwmeester on Tuesday, marking his first public comments since he collapsed on the bench in the first period of a game against the Ducks in Anaheim on Feb. 11.

Bouwmeester had just completed a shift against the Ducks in the Feb. 11 game when he collapsed on the bench. The Edmonton native was unresponsive and doctors quickly used a defibrillator to restore his heart beat. Bouwmeester also regained consciousness before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The game was postponed and will be made up on March 11.

“I would sincerely like to thank all of the trainers from both the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks, as well as all of the first responders, the Anaheim medical staff and the team at the UCI Medical Center for their quick actions on Feb. 11,” Bouwmeester said. “Our family has felt the support of the entire National Hockey League family and the city of St. Louis during this time. We have all been greatly comforted by your genuine concern.”

“On Sunday evening, I returned to St. Louis and I am on the road to recovery. My wife and daughters are forever grateful for everyone’s support and we will continue to have a positive outlook for our future.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2020.

Posted in Lifestyle and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness

We’re all going on a, summer holiday… oh wait, sorry. You’ve just had yours. Our mistake. You’re headed back to work – and the idea doesn’t leave you with the sunniest disposition, to say the least.

Rest assured. We’re all on the same (non-cruise, sadly) boat. Nobody likes leaving paradise and returning to the office. But your back-to-work blues can be easily banished if you address them head on. Read our tips for a quick post-vacation lifestyle spruce and your dread of the daily grind will be a thing of the past.

Freshen up your routine

Monday to Friday doesn’t have to equal work, work, work. There’s plenty of room in your everyday to switch up your schedule. Even the most minute tweak, such as changing the time that you exercise, can alter how you feel.

For instance, head to the gym before you go to the office as opposed to at lunchtime or in the evening. A quick burst of energetic movement before 9am will buoy your body with endorphins and adrenaline, supplying a much needed pre-morning meeting energy boost. A good way to go about this could be by attending one of our Holmes Place Xpress Classes, where you can enjoy quick, fifteen-minute bursts of activity whenever suits your schedule. Covering everything from circuit training to group sports, you’re bound to find something you’ll love: check out our Xpress Classes here.

We also make it very easy for you. Request your invitation and come and try the classes.

Of course, exercise isn’t the only thing that can help your mood. What you ingest is also vital. Health.com recommends probiotic-rich foods for bossing a slump, along with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Perhaps most excitingly, they also advocate coffee, so there’s no need to feel guilty if you make a quick java stop on your commute.

Embrace new experiences

Try something a little different by throwing yourself into a new project. Whether it’s a hobby that interests you or a gym class you’ve always wanted to sign up for, taking the plunge can be a great way to rejuvenate your routine and give you something to focus on (rather than how much you wish you were still in the Maldives). With Holmes Place classes, we make fitness both fun and delectably diverse. Get your groove on at one of our dance sessions, become a maestro of balance with a martial arts class or tap into your inner oasis with one of our holistic programmes. We also offer a range of ‘Signature’ classes, included in your gym membership – explore our range online to get started. Know more about our classes.

Focus on positivity-boosting exercises

While all physical activities are great for your mood, there are a couple of exercises that’ll get your endorphins flowing en masse. These mainly fall into three categories: cardiovascular exercises, aerobics and yoga. The intense nature of the former two increases the release of your ‘happy chemicals’ (namely endorphins, serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine) which elevate your mood. Yoga, on the other hand, focuses more on helping you reach a place of mindfulness through careful breathing, balancing and motion. Pay attention to these when you workout and you’ll have that spring in your step back in no time.

Don’t forget to get back to routine with the best sound track.

Want more great wellness and workout advice? Check out our Holmes Place blog – and don’t forget to give us a ‘like’ on Facebook.

Posted in Lifestyle and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

By: Chaunte McClure

How many of you spent Sunday evening dreading the fact that you had to go back to work this week? I wasn’t exactly dreading it, but the extra hours snugged in bed for the past week were much appreciated, and I’m not opposed to having more of those opportunities.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Remember how the week before Christmas you could hardly wait for your week off to begin so you could complete your Christmas shopping, run last minute errands, leave for vacation or just enjoy some time off? Then in seven, six, five, four, three two, one . . . it was time to prepare your mind for your normal routine of waking up to an early morning alarm and pressing snooze time after time before finally making your way to the bathroom.

With the rain pounding on the roof Tuesday morning, that made getting up a little harder, but I rolled out of bed, determined to get to work on time. I knew wet roads meant a higher possibility of accidents and traffic delays, so I made sure I had extra time for my morning commute.

With about eight minutes to spare, before walking into the building to unlock my office door for the first time since 2016, I skimmed my timeline and read a few posts from friends who had back-to-work blues. I think most of them started sharing days-off memes as early as last Thursday as the week gradually ended.

I survived the first day back in the office after the holiday break. I had meetings the first half of the day and I spent the second half responding to requests. Let’s see how these next three work days of the new year pan out.

Jennifer Schwartz, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / Getty Images

Recovering from surgery is greatly dependent upon the type of surgery you will be having. An outpatient procedure, such as hand surgery, will have a far different recovery period than an invasive inpatient procedure like heart bypass surgery. Let’s focus on recovery from an inpatient procedure.

Recovery From Anesthesia

You may need a few hours in the post-anesthesia care unit until the anesthesia wears off. During most recoveries, the patient will wake, breathing on his own, while being monitored closely for any complications from surgery.

Some people will feel sleepy but otherwise fine as the anesthesia wears off. Others may experience nausea, chills, or vomiting. There may also be throat pain if you were intubated to assist with breathing during surgery.

The post-operative nurse will monitor your condition so that appropriate treatment can be delivered if side effects occur.

Once the anesthesia has worn off, the business of recovering truly begins. Patients who are physically able will be expected to walk or sit on the edge of the bed as soon as they are able. This activity is essential to prevent complications, including deep vein thrombosis.

Pain Control

Pain control during this time is essential, as movement can cause an increase in pain level. Being pain-free is not a reasonable expectation, so pain should be controlled in order to enable movement, coughing, and sleep. A dramatic increase in pain for no apparent reason should be reported to the hospital staff.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) can be used alone for mild to moderate pain. For moderate to severe pain, NSAIDs are often used in combination with opioids.

Before surgery, let your doctor if you take pain medications regularly and if you are allergic or intolerant to certain pain medications.

Preventing Complications

Deep coughing, commonly referred to as “a cough-and-deep breathe,” is encouraged following surgery. Coughing expands the lungs and helps prevent pneumonia and other breathing difficulties. Medications such as bronchodilators may be used to help open the lungs and make breathing easier.

Incision care is also important after surgery. Depending on the nature of the surgery, the bandage may need to be changed frequently or only when ordered by the surgeon. The nursing staff will show you how to care for the wound once you are home.

Two common side effects of anesthesia and pain medication are constipation and dysuria (difficulty urinating). To better prevent this, clear fluids will be encouraged and a mild stool softener may be prescribed by the surgeon.

If a patient is unable to empty their bladder, a catheter may be reinserted into the urethra until they are able to urinate on their own.

In addition to temporary bladder paralysis, the digestive tract is often slow to “wake” from anesthesia. Once the digestive system is moving, the patient will be allowed to begin a clear liquid diet and progress to a normal diet.

Hospital Discharge

Prior to discharge, it is essential that any special requirements for returning home are addressed. If the patient needs oxygen, a special bed, or mobility equipment, the hospital will provide assistance in securing these.

Once the surgeon determines that the patient is well enough to be discharged, the patient will need assistance to either return home or be transported to an after-care facility if they are too weak to care for themselves.

In the majority of cases, the patient is able to return to his own home after leaving the hospital. The medical staff will provide a list of discharge instructions specific to the patient’s needs, including specific instructions about wound care.

Home Care

The level of activity permitted varies based on the procedure performed. Some surgeries, such as a hip replacement, may require physical therapy while other patients may be discharged with instructions to “take it easy.”

Pain is a good indication of whether or not the patient is trying to do too much too soon. Pain should be controlled enough to allow walking short distances, sitting in a chair, and coughing.

The goal of pain control is not to stop pain completely, especially after major surgery. Doing so can lead to medication abuse, a particularly troubling situation when opioids are involved. Because of this, doctors will prescribe opioids for only a short period of time without any prescription repeats.

If you are unable to take care of yourself completely but don’t need a nursing home, a home health care aid can be obtained through any number of private and governmental organizations.

Most health insurance plans cover home health care service, so be sure to check your policy (ideally in advance of your surgery) to determine what benefits you are allowed.

When to Call a Doctor

When recovering at home, it is important to know when to notify the surgeon of any complications that arise after surgery. The following signs and symptoms are warnings of possible complications and should be reported to the surgeon immediately:

Difficulty breathing
Fever over 100.4 F
Black, tar-like stools (indicating internal bleeding)
Increasing or worsening pain
Increased swelling, pain, or redness around the incision
Pus-like or foul-smelling wound discharge
Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting
Inability to tolerate food or drink
Unexplained pain in one or both legs

Call seek emergency care if you see red streaks rapidly extending from the wound on skin that is hot and tender to the touch. These are symptoms of a potentially deadly bacterial infection known as cellulitis.

$800 raised of $5,000 goal

$100
5 mos

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Created February 7, 2020
Accidents & Emergencies

In late December 2019 I had an accident at work and was Hospitalized
for a week. I had to have my left hand sewn back together from the middle of my palm to the top half of my wrist.

I’ve been self employed as a Construction worker/Handyman for the last 15 years and have been able to support myself but I have no Health Insurance or a large savings to depend on.

Recovery is going to take a few months and I’m unable to work until I can get full use of my left hand. I’ve been blessed in that I was able to receive Public Assistance in the form of General Relief and the Snap Program and Medicare to cover most of my expenses but it doesn’t cover everything. I can use as much help as possible to keep me going.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for any support or donations.
I’ll be updating my progress as I get better and closer to being able to get back to work.

Update: March 2020

In rehab to get mobility and strength back to my hand at USC General Hospital progress is going well and have
about 40% of the use of my hand back.

I’m still unable to work but have been learning several computer languages such as html, Javascript & JQuery as
I’m going thru rehab to stay busy and productive.

I’ve picked up skills in how to Design and Launch Web Apps & Site’s and studying AWS to become Certified
with the Cloud.

I’ve had to learn a new set of skills in case I’m not able to return to the work I’m capable of performing.

Thank you for the donations and help I’ve received so far from my family & friends to help me thru this time
of need.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

A tummy tuck is a common plastic surgery procedure that has remained popular for years. In fact, the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that this was one of the top five cosmetic procedures performed for men and women last year.

Despite the popularity of this surgery, many people often don’t know what to expect during their recovery. Understanding the recovery process and timeline can help make the tummy tuck an easier journey for many patients.

Recovery times vary

There is no single answer for how long it will take to recover from a tummy tuck. Like any surgical procedure, there is a general time frame, but individual recoveries are based on a variety of factors, including the following:

Age
General health
Type of tummy tuck
Post-surgery care

After the procedure is complete, your surgeon will discuss a more specific timeline for your recovery, but generally speaking, most patients begin feeling more normal around the eight-week mark.

Why the type of tuck matters

There are several types of tummy tucks that can be performed. You can get a full or more involved “extended tummy tuck,” or you can get a “mini” tuck, which only focuses on a small area in the lower abdomen.

The more extensive your abdominal contouring is, the longer it may take to recover fully. This is especially true if you opt for an extended tummy tuck because these can involve the flanks, lower back and lower chest.

What to expect during tummy tuck recovery

The most important thing to remember during this process is that you should follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. Don’t hesitate to contact the doctor’s office if you have questions or concerns.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck is always recommended because he or she has met stringent training and safety requirements that other surgeons have not. Your board-certified plastic surgeon can offer recovery advice and assistance throughout the healing process.

1. Immediately after surgery

Directly following a tummy tuck, your abdomen will be covered with surgical dressing. In many cases, there will be thin, small tubes placed around your incision in order to drain any fluid that builds up around it. This is common and shouldn’t cause you any additional discomfort.

You will need to rest at an angle for the first few days of recovery and will be given instructions to move about to help prevent any blood clots.

2. When you’re home

It’s important to line up help for at least the first day or two that you’re home following surgery. You will be prescribed pain medications and have somewhat limited mobility, so you will not be able to drive yourself home.

Once home, you will likely have difficulty with bending, lifting or standing for prolonged periods of time, so having someone to help around the house during the initial period after tummy tuck surgery can make recovery significantly easier.

3. Daily maintenance

Your doctor will teach you how to properly care for your incision and drainage tubes for the duration of your recovery.

Most patients are given antibiotics and anticoagulants to take for a certain length of time, and some are given topical creams to apply around the incision site.

You will have an abdominal support garment or wrap that will help with swelling and discomfort during recovery, so it’s important to wear it for the recommended amount of time each day.

Smoking and drinking alcohol can seriously inhibit your recovery, so they should be avoided for at least three months post-surgery.

4. Resuming normal life

If you have young children, you will want to enlist help to assist with childcare, as squatting or picking up children (or heavy objects for that matter) for the first few weeks is strongly advised against. However, driving, cooking or shopping is often manageable after a week or two.

Most people opt to take up to a month off work for recovery. If you have a physically demanding job, it’s especially important to take plenty of time off so that you don’t jeopardize your recovery. You will also want to avoid exercise during this time for the same reasons.

5. Long-term effects

Some people experience numbness or a pulling sensation for weeks or months after a tummy tuck, but this is typically normal and often fades with time. It can take up to three months for the swelling and bruising to go down completely, and it may take longer than that for your scar to fade.

Recovery is a process

Working closely with your plastic surgeon and surgery team to understand and prepare for post-surgery life can help make your recovery seamless. A tummy tuck can be a wonderful way to achieve the aesthetic goals you have for yourself, just remember to be kind to your body, and focus on doing everything you can to recover fully from the procedure.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Posted in Lifestyle , Medical and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness

We’re all going on a, summer holiday… oh wait, sorry. You’ve just had yours. Our mistake. You’re headed back to work – and the idea doesn’t leave you with the sunniest disposition, to say the least.

Freshen up your routine

Embrace new experiences

Focus on positivity-boosting exercises

Don’t forget to get back to routine with the best sound track.

Want more great wellness and workout advice? Check out our Holmes Place blog – and don’t forget to give us a ‘like’ on Facebook.

Posted in Lifestyle , Medical and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness.

If you’re feeling down returning to work this week, you’re not alone.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Jeff Wilks said for many Australians the so-called “back to work blues” was a real condition, especially after the Christmas/New Year period.

He said the symptoms included disorientation, little interest in work, a general go-slow attitude until the middle of January and feverish plans for the next holiday.

“It’s a very real thing . the back to work blues is really about people thinking they didn’t quite have enough of a holiday,” said Dr Wilks, a professor of tourism, who is also a psychologist.

“People feel they were just starting to relax, thinking they were just coming good, and it’s been cut short and that makes them a bit sad.

“It’s a big ask for someone to come off a holiday season, and Christmas is a real holiday season . with everyone festive and happy and then have to get back to work.

“It generally takes some people a couple of weeks to get back into the routine and part of that re-establishment is the opportunity, in many cases, to look forward particularly to Easter – the next long break.”

People already planning their next holiday is good news for the Australian tourism industry.

Graham Perry, the chief executive of See Australia, a federal government and industry initiative working to boost domestic tourism, backed Dr Wilks’ statements.

He said much anecdotal evidence had shown working Australians were already thinking about planning their next holiday.

Mr Perry said there was a marked increase in interest in holiday information around Australia after the Christmas break.

“This proves that Christmas interrupts the habits and routine of Australian workers and makes them consider the need to take holidays throughout the year,” Mr Perry said.

“The key is to prolong this feeling to get working Australians to commit to, plan, and then take their next holiday, and to ensure they don’t become victims to work pressures and routines and time poverty.

“Working Australians and their employers must appreciate that holidays are a vital element of profitable businesses and lives.

“They provide an essential means of recharging the batteries, reinvigorating personal and professional relationships, and increasing productivity at work.”

Has the end of the holiday period got you down already? It’s all a matter of attitude, writes Bronwyn McNulty.

At this time of year most people have enjoyed at least a little time off work, so why are so many of us shuffling through office corridors with hangdog expressions, or moping about our desks looking as if we’d rather die than be here, at our jobs?

The post-holiday blues might not (yet) be a recognised syndrome but it is something that darkens the first few days after a break for many of us.

An adviser for beyondblue, Associate Professor Michael Baigent, says it’s no surprise that people find themselves feeling flat when their holidays are over.

”It’s a normal thing,” he says.

”In the holidays, people put into the day many, many more pleasurable activities than they would in routine days.

”So when you stop doing these things, people notice.

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”Routine days are filled with activities that are necessary, or part of day-to-day business, and while they can give you a sense of achievement, the amount of pleasure you get from these activities is not great.”

Don’t despair. The post-holiday blues won’t last until your next vacation.

They are most often just a period of adjustment while you reacquaint yourself with your day-to-day existence.

But until then there’s no need to feel resigned to a life that doesn’t make you happy.

FIND THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

”I think most people get the blues because they live just for the holiday,” life coach Shannah Kennedy says.

”They make such a big deal of this holiday being the only thing they have got to look forward to.”

The answer, Kennedy says, lies in planning your weeks and months and incorporating other inspiring events and projects that will keep you excited.

”You need something, because you can’t just wait another year for the next holiday,” she says.

”Ideally, every time you come back from a holiday you have an opportunity to dump an old habit and have the energy to build in a new habit – a new way of thinking, a new skill, something you might want to learn or commit to – it doesn’t have to be anything big at all.”

Make a list of the things you enjoy doing and schedule them into your life, Baigent suggests.

”You mightn’t be able to lie on the beach reading a book but try to do some other enjoyable activities,” he says.

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

Try altering your attitude from the moment your holiday is over, Kennedy says: ”Start with a new approach as soon as you land at the airport,” she says. ”Think, I am really excited, I can change things. Ultimately you should come back from holidays with a full tank and be ready to go.

”We can tell ourselves, ‘Oh, we have to wait another year,’ or we can be excited. It’s about learning to focus on the positive.”

Incorporating one enjoyable activity into your week will go a long way towards alleviating any blues, she says. It can be a movie, a dinner date, a party or as simple as a soak in a nice, hot bath. ”But you have to drive that and make it happen.”

Some of us are more prone to feeling down after our holidays than others, Baigent says.

”It does come with a certain style of thinking,” he says. ”If your natural disposition is to think that things are going to go wrong and be hard, you are going to be one of the people who will feel more depressed [after your holiday]. At the same time, there are many people out there who are quite optimistic.”

It’s a matter of working out how to tweak your attitude, Kennedy says: ”It’s self-talk that we can change and then avoid the blues.”

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

Holidays – especially those at Christmas and New Year – often involve a lot of partying and socialising, which inevitably means eating and drinking more than normal – usually more than is healthy.

A psychology lecturer from Southern Cross University, Dr James Donnelly, says getting back into a healthier routine will help to alleviate feelings of sadness.

”We sit around and eat and drink a lot during the holidays and physically become out of whack,” he says. ”So one of the key issues for maintaining mood is to get out and do something physical.”

Planning time for exercise is vital, even if it’s something as simple and easy to do as going for a walk, Donnelly says.

”Exercise actually induces changes in the brain that produce opiate-like endorphins, so when you exercise vigorously, even just for 15-20 minutes, three times a week, it bumps up your endorphins and gives you that sedated feeling of calm.

”And if you feel like you don’t have the time, consider that there’s good evidence to suggest those people who exercise have fewer days off work and are more productive.”

BEAT POST-HOLIDAY BLUES

Look after yourself Get enough sleep, eat well and drink in moderation. And exercise: “Even a short walk around the block can change our mood when we feel stuck or a bit post-holiday blue,” life coach Shannah Kennedy says.

Avoid the rut Take charge of your life to avoid falling back into the workaday rut, Kennedy says. “Get out of the passenger seat and into the driver’s seat.”

Book another holiday ”Even thinking about and planning things can give as much pleasure as doing them,” beyondblue adviser Michael Baigent says.

Have things to look forward to Planning and scheduling your weeks and months means you can incorporate activities you look forward to, Kennedy says. “Make your week or month inspiring. You put all that effort into dreaming about your holiday, put some effort into dreaming about your reality.”

Make a tribute to your holiday Whether it’s a photo book or photo board, playlist or travel diary, creating a visual or written tribute to your holiday will not only enable you to relive it but provide you with a concrete reminder of the wonderful time you had. The Lonely Planet Australia author Rose Mulready suggests subjecting friends and family to a good old-fashioned slide show.

Get outside You’ve probably been getting lots of fresh air if you’ve just been on holidays, so make sure you continue that by nipping out of the office at lunchtime.

IS IT DEPRESSION?

The post-holiday blues are usually transient, beyondblue adviser Michael Baigent says. ”Post-holiday blues won’t affect your functioning – you will still be sleeping, eating and concentrating,” he says.

”You will still see a future for yourself. If you have negative views about the future, or suicidal thoughts, and they go on for a long period of time, you need to see your GP.”

DON’T FORGET FIDO AND PUSS

Humans are not alone in suffering from post-holiday depression. Cats and dogs struggle to adjust when family members return to work and school, animal expert Maeve Moorcroft told London’s Daily Mirror. ”Pets are very sociable,” she says. ”When children return to school, pets may feel restless and anxious.”

To minimise their distress, Moorcroft advises leaving the radio on when animals are home alone and giving them a piece of clothing with their favourite human’s scent on it.

Supporting a worker to recover at work after injury is an important part of their treatment and rehabilitation. Staying active after injury helps workers return to their usual activities at home and at work sooner.

Planning to support your workers recovery at work is essential to a successful outcome. The information below can help you use the recover at work planning tool to develop an effective recover at work plan for your worker and help you meet your legislative requirements.

1. Understand what your worker can do

It is the role of the worker’s treating doctor to assess what the worker can do and communicate this information on the certificate of capacity/certificate of fitness. Reviewing the certificate of capacity/certificate of fitness with your worker allows you to get a better understanding of what they think they are able to do.

2. Identify suitable work duties

As an employer you have an obligation to find and provide suitable work duties so that your worker can recover at work.

Consider duties closest to your worker’s pre-injury duties first. Duties can be offered in any of the following ways:

same job (or parts of the job) with different hours
modified duties
a different job altogether
at the same or different workplace
a combination of these options.

If you are not familiar with your worker’s pre-injury role, you may wish to speak to their supervisor or manager regarding appropriate duties that fit current work routines and schedules.

Discuss your thoughts about suitable work options with your worker. They may have thoughts on work options or modifications that could help them recover at work.

If you have difficulty identifying suitable work options that match your worker’s capacity, contact your insurer. The insurer can arrange a workplace assessment that will help identify suitable work options, overcome barriers to recovery at work, and provide assistance (including necessary equipment, workplace modifications and/or training).

3. Develop the plan

Using the information you have gathered, develop a recover at work plan for your worker. You may choose to develop your own plan or use the recover at work planning tool.

Keep the following questions in mind when developing the recovery at work plan:

Are the demands of the duties within the capacity of the worker?
Is the worker taking any medication that may impact on their ability to perform the tasks?
Is the environment the worker is returning to appropriate?
Can any of the tasks be eliminated or substituted to reduce the risk of further injury?
Is workplace modification and/or equipment required in order for the worker to perform the tasks safely?
Will they need specific training or instruction to perform the tasks?
Do their personal circumstances impact on their ability to undertake the tasks?

For most workers their recover at work goal will be to return to their pre-injury work within a specified time frame. For some there may be potential barriers to a successful recovery at work. It is important that you and your worker are aware of any issues and the impact they may have. Planning to support your worker will assist their recovery at work.

The recover at work plan also provides the opportunity to record information essential to the worker’s recovery at work. This includes:

equipment or other necessary work accommodations
who the worker should talk to about concerns, difficulties or possible changes to their plan.

The recover at work plan will be most useful when:

your worker is given the opportunity to participate in the development of the plan
the plan is in writing
the plan is updated when any changes are made
copies of the plan(s) are given to the worker and their doctor.

Recovery times can vary depending on the individual and type of surgery. It’s important to follow the advice the hospital gives you on looking after your hip.

After surgery

After the operation, you’ll be lying flat on your back and may have a pillow between your legs to keep your hip in the correct position. The nursing staff will monitor your condition and you’ll have a large dressing on your leg to protect the wound.

How soon will I be up and about?

The staff will help you to get up and walk as quickly as possible after surgery. If you’ve had minimally invasive surgery or are on an enhanced recovery programme, you may be able to walk on the same day as your operation.

Initially, you’ll feel discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen.

A physiotherapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your hip and explain what should and should not be done after the operation. They’ll teach you how to bend and sit to avoid damaging your new hip.

Going home

You’ll usually be in hospital for around 3 to 5 days, depending on the progress you make and what type of surgery you have.

If you’re generally fit and well, the surgeon may suggest an enhanced recovery programme, where you start walking on the day of the operation and are discharged within 1 to 3 days.

Recovering at home

Do not be surprised if you feel very tired at first. You’ve had a major operation and muscles and tissues surrounding your new hip will take time to heal. Follow the advice of the surgical team and call a GP if you have any worries or queries.

After you’re discharged from hospital, you may be eligible for up to 6 weeks of home help and there may be aids that can help you. You may also want to arrange to have someone to help you for a week or so.

The exercises your physiotherapist gives you are an important part of your recovery. It’s essential you continue with them once you’re at home.

How soon will the pain go away?

The pain you may have experienced before the operation should go immediately. You can expect to feel some pain as a result of the operation itself, but this will not last for long.

You’ll be offered pain relief medicines every few hours. It’s a good idea to take these medicines regularly during the first 48 to 72 hours.

Is there anything I should look out for or worry about?

After hip replacement surgery, contact a GP if you notice redness, fluid or an increase in pain in the new joint.

Will I have to go back to hospital?

You’ll be given an outpatient appointment to check on your progress, usually 6 to 8 weeks after your hip replacement.

How long will it be before I feel back to normal?

There are many things that can affect how quickly you get back to normal, such as:

your age
your general fitness
the condition of your joints and muscles
the job or activities you do

Everyone recovers differently, but it’s often possible to return to light activities or office-based work within around 6 weeks. It may take a few more weeks if your job involves heavy lifting.

It’s best to avoid extreme movements or sports where there’s a risk of falling, such as skiing or riding. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can advise you more about returning to normal activities.

When can I drive again?

You can usually drive a car after about 6 weeks, subject to advice from your surgeon. It can be tricky getting in and out of a car at first. It’s best to ease yourself in backwards and swing both legs round together.

When can I go back to work?

This depends on your job, but you can usually return to work 6 to12 weeks after your operation.

How will it affect my sex life?

If you were finding sex difficult before because of pain, you may find that having the operation gives your sex life a boost. Your surgeon can advise when it’s OK to have sex again.

As long as you’re careful, you should be able to have sex after 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid vigorous sex and more extreme positions.

Looking after your new hip

With care, your new hip should last well. The following advice may be given by the hospital to help you care for your new hip. However, the advice may vary based on your doctor’s recommendations:

avoid bending your hip more than 90° (a right angle) during any activity
avoid twisting your hip
do not swivel on the ball of your foot
when you turn around, take small steps
do not apply pressure to the wound in the early stages (try to avoid lying on your side)
do not cross your legs over each other
do not force your hip or do anything that makes it feel uncomfortable
avoid low chairs and toilet seats (raised toilet seats are available)

Avoiding falls

You’ll need to be extra careful to avoid falls in the first few weeks after surgery as this could damage your hip, which may mean you need more surgery.

Use any walking aid, such as crutches, a cane or a walker as directed.

Take extra care on stairs and in the kitchen and bathroom as these are all common places where people can have accidental falls.

Page last reviewed: 23 December 2019
Next review due: 23 December 2022

by The Editorial Team · Published November 9, 2016 · Updated November 4, 2016

Going on a vacation is the best thing, but the thought of getting back to your daily routine, after the vacation, may come as a huge bummer. This may come as no surprise to you if you are a frequent traveller or vacationer, in fact many a times the work blues after you return from your holiday are so bad that the thought of going for a vacation itself is off putting. But this need not be the case, with a few simple things in mind you can help you cope up with the whole feeling blue thing.

For example, taking a short walk or going for a run is said to immensely improve one’s mood, if you don’t want to go out that much, simple repeated exercises, like squats, lunges and push ups also seem to do the trick. Eating healthy also plays a huge role in boasting ones mood, make sure you have plenty of nuts and dark chocolate lying around, and treat yourself regularly.

The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team led by Karan Chopra. Karan is an internet enthusiast, who loves to explore every second thing in both technology and business.

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by Iveta Ivanova · Published March 11, 2015 · Last modified March 10, 2015

Posted in Lifestyle and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness

Freshen up your routine

Embrace new experiences

Focus on positivity-boosting exercises

Don’t forget to get back to routine with the best sound track.

Want more great wellness and workout advice? Check out our Holmes Place blog – and don’t forget to give us a ‘like’ on Facebook.

Posted in Lifestyle and tagged Work, Routine, Habits, Stress, Fitness.

How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

ST. LOUIS — Blues defenceman Jay Bouwmeester says he has returned to St. Louis and is recovering from a cardiac episode during a game last week.

The Blues released a statement from Bouwmeester on Tuesday, marking his first public comments since he collapsed on the bench in the first period of a game against the Ducks in Anaheim on Feb. 11.

The game was postponed and will be made up on March 11.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2020.

We are so lucky in Australia. The long Christmas break coincides with summer, and for many of us that means a seamless transition from the excesses of Christmas to lazing around on the beach or round the pool. Bliss…

But now the holidays are over and its time to start to rev back up for 2016.

It can be very frustrating as January is often a less than productive month, with many employees, customers, clients, and contractors still on leave, working reduced hours, or mentally still in holiday mode.

If you are experiencing a less-than-busy month, take advantage of it! During most times in the year, many of us are so busy handling the day to day activities of running a business that finding the time to look ahead is rarely available.

Half-way through the financial year, January is a perfect time for you to review your business plans, and for you to encourage staff to do the same in their own areas of responsibility.

Encourage your staff to review their job descriptions and KPIs. Just like you, staff can get wrapped up in the day to day and gradually forget long term goals. Taking the time to review can help to motivate and mentally prepare for the year ahead. Staff can also use this time to get organised and develop a plan to achieve their KPIs.
Clear off that desk. Removing the clutter and finalising odds and ends that have been sitting in your to-do pile for months can be surprisingly energizing and leave you better prepared to take on upcoming projects.
Use this time to make contact with others in your network that are back to work. While it may seem that everyone is away until February, this is rarely true. Attend a networking function – while events may not be as busy as other times in the year, you can still make good connections and might even gain an edge over your competitors who are still relaxing on the beach!
Re-evaluate your goals for the year. You may have finalised your business plans last June, but more than 6 months have now passed and it is about time to re-assess. What were the last 6 months in your business like compared to your expectations? Are your expectations for the next 6 months still the same? This might be the best time of year to plan adjustments to staffing numbers and workloads.

Whatever your business, both you and your staff can be productive in January by preparing for the future. This is a valuable time of the year, and I encourage you not to waste it!

You should be able to go home on the same day as your cataract surgery.

You may have a pad and plastic shield over your eye when you leave hospital, which can usually be removed the day after surgery.

Feeling should start to return to your eye within a few hours of surgery, but it may take a few days for your vision to fully return.

It’s normal to have:

grittiness
watering
blurred vision
double vision
red or bloodshot eye

These side effects usually improve within a few days but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully.

If you need new glasses, you won’t be able to order them until your eye has completely healed – usually after 6 weeks.

Cataract surgery has a high success rate in improving your eyesight and should allow you to return to your normal activities, like driving.

When to seek help

Contact your eye surgery department as soon as possible if you experience:

increased pain and/or redness
increased stickiness
decreased vision

Dos and don’ts

For the first few weeks after surgery:

Do:

use your eye drops as instructed
take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days
use your eye shield at night for at least a week
take painkillers if you need to
bathe or shower yourself as usual
wear your eye shield when washing your hair
read, watch TV and use a computer
use your shield, old glasses or sunglasses outdoors
avoid swimming for 4 to 6 weeks

Don’t:

rub your eye
allow soap or shampoo to get into your eye
drive until you get the all-clear from your doctor
do any strenuous exercise or housework
wear eye make-up for at least 4 weeks
fly without seeking advice from your doctor

You could arrange for someone to help take care of you until your vision returns, particularly if the vision in your other eye is poor.

If you work, how soon you can return will largely depend on your type of job and if you need new glasses.

Using your eye drops

Before you leave hospital, you’ll be given some eye drops to help your eye heal and prevent infection.

It’s important to use your eye drops as instructed by your doctor. Unless told otherwise, you should:

start your drops the morning after the operation
only use them on the operated eye
wash your hands before using your drops
don’t stop your eye drops without advice from your doctor
don’t let anyone else use your eye drops

You’ll be advised further about the use of eye drops at your follow up appointment, usually 1 to 4 weeks after your operation.

At this appointment, you may be given advice on when to stop using your eye drops and when to apply for new glasses.

How to apply eye drops

wash your hands
tilt your head back
look up at the ceiling
gently pull down the lower lid
squeeze the bottle until a drop goes into your eye
close your eye and wipe away any excess liquid
don’t let the bottle touch the eye

If you run out of the drops, contact your local GP for more. You’ll need to bring your eye drop bottle and discharge letter to your appointment.

How to clean your eye

boil some water and allow it to cool
wash your hands
dip cotton wool or clean gauze in the cool boiled water
gently wipe from the inside (near your nose) to the outside corner of your eye
don’t wipe inside your eye
don’t wash your eye out with water
don’t press on your eye

During the first 2 weeks, you may need to clean your eye twice a day because the drops and the healing process can cause slight stickiness.

For more on cataracts go to the RNIB website.

Page last reviewed: 14 December 2017
Next review due: 14 December 2020

A Firefox profile stores all of your important data, such as your bookmarks, history, cookies, and passwords. This article explains how to copy the files to a new profile, lists important files in the profile and describes what information is stored in these files.

To switch to another profile to recover missing data and settings, see Recover user data missing after Firefox update.

Before starting it is recommended that you make a complete backup of your existing Firefox profile in case something goes wrong. Please read the Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles article for instructions.

For information on how to create a brand new Firefox profile, please read the Profile Manager – Create, remove, or switch Firefox profiles article.

Open your profile folder:

Click the menu button , click Help and select Troubleshooting Information . From the Help menu, select Troubleshooting Information . The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under the Application Basics section next to Profile Folder Directory , click Open Folder Show in Finder Open Directory . A window will open that contains your profile folder. Your profile folder will open.

Click the Firefox menu and select Exit . Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox . Click the Firefox menu and select Quit .

Right-click Hold down the control key while you click on a file you want to copy and choose Copy .

Open the new Firefox profile folder.

Right-click Hold down the control key while you click inside the profile folder and choose Paste Item .

Repeat steps 3-5 for each file you wish to transfer over to your new profile folder.

While copying your personal data from an old Firefox profile to a new Firefox profile, it is possible that you could copy over the file that is causing the problem you are trying to get rid of! The more files you copy over, the greater the chance of this happening. It is therefore recommended that:

You copy over only the minimal amount of files that contain your most important data that you simply can’t live without.
You copy over a few files at a time, and then check that the problem you are trying to get rid of hasn’t returned.

Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History

places.sqlite

This file contains all your Firefox bookmarks and lists of files you have downloaded and of websites you have previously visited. For more information, see Bookmarks in Firefox.

This file stores website favicon images. It’s best to also include this file when recovering the places.sqlite file.

Passwords

Your passwords are stored in two different files, both of which are required:

key4.db – This file stores your key database for your passwords. To transfer saved passwords, you must copy this file along with the following file.
logins.json – Saved passwords.

Site-specific preferences

permissions.sqlite

This file stores many of your Firefox permissions that are decided on a per-site basis. For example, it stores which sites are allowed to, or blocked from setting cookies, installing extensions, showing images, displaying popups, etc.

Search engines

search.json.mozlz4

This file stores user-installed search engines. For more information, see Add or remove a search engine in Firefox.

Personal dictionary

persdict.dat

This file stores any custom words you have added to Firefox’s dictionary. If you have never added a custom word to the Firefox dictionary, then you will not have this file. For more information see How do I use the Firefox spell checker?.

Autocomplete history

formhistory.sqlite

This file remembers what you have searched for in the Firefox search bar and what information you have entered into forms on websites. For more information see Control whether Firefox automatically fills in forms.

Cookies

cookies.sqlite

Cookies are used by websites for a variety of reasons, some of which include keeping you logged in to a website you have previously logged in to, remembering any preferences a website has allowed you to set, authenticating you as a person who has visited a specific website before, etc.

Security certificate settings

This file stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox.

File types and download actions

handlers.json

This file stores your preferences with respect to what Firefox does when it comes across known file types, such as whether you want to save a file or open it with a specific application. For more information see Change what Firefox does when you click on or download a file.

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How to Recover from Back to Work Blues

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I am so bummed to be back at work, so I thought what better remedy than to reminisce about our fabulous trip by posting a trip report! I can’t believe the trip we’ve been planning for months has come and gone already, but overall we had a great time, and really want to thank everyone here for your suggestions/input. Please be forewarned that this is not one of those trip reports that is brief. 🙂 I will also be posting each day individually, and hope to be done by this weekend, but no promises. 🙂 Now, without further ado and drum roll please…

Day 1: I barely make it through my half day at work what with the excitement. The day finally comes to an end, and it is finally time to do the airport schlup. We go through the usual routine, board, and…wait…they still feed you on international flights? And the movies are complimentary. And there’s video games? Score! It was a good thing the flight had so much in the way of amusement, because I couldn’t sleep at all I was so wound up. Watched Spiderman III and almost all of In Her Shoes, and play a little Bejeweled. Finally land in London. Getting tickets for the First Capital Connect to Kings Cross and finding train is painless. Finding cab to take us to hotel from Kings Cross Thameslink provides first European adventure. We exit the station, and for some reason, at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, I was expecting London to be…well…quiet…and still mostly sleeping. I think I have lived in Minnesota for too long, because I have forgotten what civilization looks/sounds like. I was not prepared for the mad rush of traffic and noise and people that met us directly outside of the station. Hubby and I are both immediately overwhelmed. Hubby asks me what we are doing. I tell him we are looking for a cab. I had hoped to just be able to hail one on the street, but after watching for a few minutes, it became obvious this might not be that easy—all the cabs we saw already had people in them, plus there was a barrier between the street and the pedestrian access that we had to get around anyway. I start walking against traffic toward the main King’s Cross station, as advised on this board, in search of a cab or the taxi stand at the main King’s Cross station, whichever came first. I thought it was clear what I was doing. It however, was obviously not, as Hubby becomes very crabby with my dragging him (as he’s dragging two suitcases, trying to dodge people who know what they’re doing) around London. We have a “What are you doing, No I’m not, Yes you are” lost tourist performance for the nice people who happen to be nearby. We attempt to follow signs and about 10-15 minutes later have managed to find the taxi stand at King’s Cross by following not the signs but everyone else with suitcases and listening to other lost people ask where the taxi stand is. Finally get to the London Hilton Islington (overall were very happy with our stay, review submitted), but because it is still early, the room is not ready.

It was sunny outside, and we wander around Islington for a little while, down some residential streets that remind me of the ones Audrey Hepburn walked down in My Fair Lady. I think about Charles Dickens, and what this area looked like during his day. We stop for lunch at an Italian place near the hotel. I don’t remember the name of it, but the food was good. By this time our room is ready and we are no longer homeless.

I didn’t have anything planned for the first day, because I didn’t know how we’d be feeling. I was glad I did this, because what with traveling all night, the time change and being in a big city in a foreign country, all we wanted to do was not do anything at all. So we decided to make our first day of vacation a real vacation, and lounged around the hotel for the rest of the day. Dinner was a Chinese take-out place we had seen on some of the literature the hotel gave us. (The food was typical of cheap Chinese take-out.) We watched some TV (we decided we loved British TV, but more on that later) and went to bed early so that we would be fresh for our first day of sightseeing.

Next Installment: Mother Nature forgot it was summer.