Ease out of vacation mode with tips and tools that help you feel grounded, energized, and ready to go.
Coming back from a summer vacation can feel like trying to jump onto a moving treadmill. One moment you’re moving along to the rhythm of your own whims, the next you're knee-deep in emails, laundry, and leftovers. Rather than expecting to flip a switch and snap back into productivity, try easing into a gentle reset. A few small, intentional steps can help you re-establish your regular groove, boost your energy, and avoid any post-vacation summertime sadness.
From syncing your sleep schedule to refuelling your body and recharging your space, here are some tips on how you can reset your routine, and the helpful tools and products that can make the process smoother (and maybe even a little enjoyable).
Ease Back Into a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Travel can do a number on your internal clock, especially if you’ve been crossing time zones or staying up later than usual. Getting your sleep routine back on track is one of the most important steps to feeling like yourself again. Try waking and going to bed at the same time each day (yes, even on weekends!) and introduce calming bedtime cues like soft lighting, herbal teas, or soothing scents to signal it’s time to wind down.
Rehydrate & Replenish
After long flights, road trip snacks, or one too many cocktails, your body is probably craving hydration. Start your day with a big glass of water and consider adding some electrolytes or minerals to help speed recovery. Choosing a water bottle that you like and actually want to carry around can help motivate you to keep sipping throughout the day.
Stretch!
After days spent twisted into a human pretzel on planes, trains, and unfamiliar beds, not to mention time away from your usual workout routine, your body might be feeling a little out of sorts. Gentle movement like stretching, yoga, or walking can help you shake off the stiffness, boost circulation, and ease back into exercise without overdoing it. Don’t stress about jumping back into seriously taxing workouts. At this stage, consistency matters more than intensity, so focus on feeling good and getting back into the habit of moving regularly.
Reset Your Gut
Travelling usually means enjoying tons of rich foods, irregular meals, and a disrupted digestive system. Give your tummy some time to settle back in by reintroducing fibre-rich foods, fermented options like yogurt or kimchi, and staying well-hydrated. Incorporating probiotics and soothing teas can also support digestion and help bring your system back into balance.
Reflect While It’s Still Fresh
Before diving straight back into your daily grind, give yourself the space to reflect on your vacation while it’s still top of mind. Taking a few intentional moments to journal or document your trip can help you process the experience, highlight what brought you joy, and carry that relaxed mindset into your everyday life. Whether it's jotting down funny memories, unexpected moments, or how it felt to be “vacation you”, this small act of reflection can ease the transition out of vacation mode and set a more grounded tone for the transition ahead.
Plan a Gentle Return to Work or School
Don’t expect to be 100% productive on day one. Give yourself some buffer time to organize your calendar, review emails gradually, and prioritize a few key tasks per day until you’re back in the swing of it. It’s tempting to jump into full productivity mode, but giving yourself a longer runway into the harsh reality of your regular responsibilities can make the transition easier on your post-vacay brain.
Make Yourself At Home (In The Kitchen)
Get out of the takeout cycle and start simple. After days of vacation indulgence or relying on convenience foods, getting back into your kitchen can be a grounding way to re-establish routine. Instead of jumping straight into an elaborate and ambitious meal, start small with a few easy, nutrient-dense dishes that help your body recharge. Prepping simple ingredients ahead of time or batch cooking a couple of meals can make the transition smoother, and the right tools can simplify the process, taking a lot of the effort (and excuses) out of it.
Find Small Joys (So the Post-Vacation Blues Don’t Win)
Coming home doesn’t have to mean the end of feeling good. In fact, it’s the perfect time to weave small moments of joy into your day to help you keep that vacation mindset in reach when you’re back in your routine. Whether it’s a slow morning in your favourite robe, a fancy coffee in your kitchen, or a relaxing bath before bed, adding little luxuries to your routine can help soften the return to reality. These small rituals don’t need to be extravagant, just intentional reminders that comfort, calm, and a bit of indulgence can be part of everyday life, too.
