Better Tomorrows: Returning to Work After the Holidays with Confidence and Care

For many people, the holiday period is a well-deserved break and reset. The body needs time to rest and reset from the year’s events. After the break, another challenge arises: the New Year. People begin returning after their break to mark their fresh start into work and the year ahead. The break often means people have renewed energy, focus, and routines begin to set in again.

However, returning to work after the holiday period does come with its own unique challenges. For some, fatigue may linger, their motivation to return may be lower, or the thought of renewed work demands may be daunting. This is particularly true for those individuals who are still recovering physically or emotionally from the holidays or an illness/injury.

At Nurture Health, we understand that returning to work isn’t just about pushing through exhaustion. It encompasses a good balance between readiness and sustainable well-being. Better Tomorrows are about a well-planned and thorough recovery, not rushed and unrealistic expectations.

Why Returning to Work After the Holidays Can Feel Difficult

Below are some excellent tips on how to ensure your return to work supports your wellbeing. 

Focus on Readiness, Not Speed

Workplace readiness involves:

• Physical and stamina levels. 
• Focus. 
• Emotional resilience and confidence. 
• Ability to manage workload effectively without excessive fatigue. 
• Having support and being informed. 

Workplace readiness is often overlooked, and it can lead to increased burnout, stress and anxiety, further fatigue, and unexpected setbacks.

Managing Fatigue at Work During the Early Weeks

You can manage fatigue by:

• Slowly regaining your workplace routine. 
• Pacing yourself by allowing time for your energy levels to stabilise. 
• Identifying and recognising your physical and emotional limitations. 

For individuals experiencing greater fatigue than usual, it may be an indication that additional or structured recovery is required. If fatigue is starting to interfere with daily life and activities, it may be time to consider seeing a healthcare specialist to identify if there are not any underlying causes.

Ease Yourself Back into Your Work Routine

Recognising that you need to ease yourself back into work is a great sign of awareness and is a strength. Many individuals attempt to dive headfirst into work.

Allowing yourself time to transition supports:

• Sustainable and realistic workplace performance.
• Reduces stress levels and anxiety
• Reduces fatigue. 
• Helps you adapt to your old workplace routine. 
• Increase energy levels and improves confidence. 
• Improved long-term wellbeing. 

Recovery as Part of the Holidays

For people that underwent recovery from an injury, illness, or hospital care/stay, returning to work may pose unseen challenges.

Physical rehabilitation and post-acute care play a vital role in ensuring functional recovery, emotional wellbeing, and overall confidence of the patient. It is vitally important that individuals understand what they can and can’t safely manage and if they require additional support. This prevents further injury and readmissions.

A return to work is significant in this instance and patients should view it as part of their recovery journey.

Better Tomorrows Begin with Informed and Sustainable Choices

Returning to work after the holidays shouldn’t be a dreaded reality, but rather a realistic one. It should be viewed as a managed, supported process that is aligned with our wellbeing. People need to be given the space, time, and support required to adjust to a workplace return, but they need to be kind to themselves as well. When the process is gradual and a routine is built over the course of a few weeks, stress, fatigue, and anxiety are reduced, and people are more likely to engage and thrive in their daily lives.

Better Tomorrows are created through compassion, kindness, empathy, balance, and care that support people in their recovery and return to daily life. However, recovery isn’t the outcome alone, remaining well is just as important as recovery.

We wish you all a happy and healthy return to work.