As the peak season for summer trips due to school holidays, July and August have seen millions of Brits heading off on domestic and overseas breaks for rest and relaxation. 

But with the best of the summer weather coming to an end and schools, colleges and universities set to return this month – many people will be returning from their holidays over the next few weeks. 

And while studies have found holidays reduce stress and boost your sense of well-being, as they help to calm your body and mind right down, the thought of returning to your regular routine and work/school when you return can leave you with the post-holiday blues. 

A previous study revealed many often feel anxious about returning to work following a holiday and take up to three days to return to a normal sleep pattern. 

Health and Wellbeing Expert Stephanie Taylor of StressNoMore reveals her top tips on how to beat the holiday blues…  

Unpack straight away 
While it might be tempting to ditch your suitcase and put your feet up for days on end when you get back off a break, leaving your bag packed will only delay the inevitable.  

Instead, try to unpack when you get home, sort through the piles of dirty washing and put your suitcase away.  

After all, the smell of stale holiday clothes isn’t pleasant and will likely make you even more depressed. 

Allow yourself a few days to get back into a routine 
Rather than going straight back to work following a holiday, book a few days off after it to allow yourself to readjust. 

However, if you’ve got into a pattern of waking up late, it’s best to set your alarm for a little earlier so that those early and long workdays aren’t so much of a shock to the system.  

And try and use the time to stock up on food, get any chores done or visit your loved ones. It’s likely that once you return to work, you’ll want a few early nights as you get back into the swing of things. 

Ensure you have some money left 
It’s a well-known joke that we often treat foreign currency as if it’s not ‘real money’ when we’re abroad, flittering it away on fancy meals, drinks and souvenirs. And that’s great. After all, you’re on holiday. 

Yet, as more people struggle amid the cost-of-living crisis, being careless when you’re away could result in financial struggles when you return.  

Ensure you over-budget ahead of your trip – so you can have a nice and luxurious holiday without any worry and still return home with some money leftover for the essentials (and those rapidly rising energy bills!) 

Nothing spells being downcast like wishing you were back on holiday and then not being able to afford anything. 

Bring elements home 
If there was something you particularly enjoyed while you were away, such as learning a language, trying different cuisines or taking up a hobby, consider introducing it into your day-to-day life. 

Being proactive and joining a club or taking lessons will make coming home less depressing as you’re introducing elements that made your holiday so memorable into your daily routine and keeping busy doing things you enjoy. 

Plus, these new things will help you grow your sense of identity and culture, which can be shared and appreciated by others and could even broaden your horizons back home. 

Plan your next trip 
It might not be possible to book another trip and fork out money for it as soon as you return, but there’s no harm in planning one. In fact, according to one study, over 80 per cent of respondents felt excited just by looking at a map and choosing places they’d like to visit.  

So, get over your last holiday by mapping out where you want to go next and figuring out the finer details, such as how much it’s going to cost and when you can afford to book it, when you’d like to go, how you’ll get there and who you’re going with. 

And if you’d like to revisit the same place, there’s no harm in sending the hotel or accommodation an email to thank them for your recent stay. You never know, they might offer a returners discount.

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