POST VACATION STRESS DISORDER: ARE YOU AT RISK?

Post Vacation Stress Disorder (PVSD)- are you at risk?



Well, it's not a psychiatric disorder but many of us have experienced it. We take a few days of vacation and return to work to be hit over the head like a sledge hammer with 50 phone calls to return, 10 reports due, 100s of emails and the list goes on and on. The amount of work that many people face after returning from vacation is enough to stop them from ever taking another vacation. You can prevent becoming a PTVS victim. Here are some simple strategies for before, during and after vacation that should help.

Before Leaving

1. Wrap up as much as possible don't leave loose ends. If you can't wrap things up, make a formal "postponement" on projects.

2. Make a priority list for what will need to get done when you return (bring it with you at the bottom of your suitcase)

3. Inform coworkers that you will be out of the office and not available until you return. If people don't know you are gone or supposed to be gone, the phone calls, emails and work will continue to flow

During Vacation

1. Remind yourself why you are taking a vacation. Make the vacation a priority

2. If you must work during vacation, do so at a fixed time. Let your family or friends know ahead of time and don't stray from that time.  Don't allow work to take over the vacation.

3. Many of us start thinking about work on the last day of vacation-use those thoughts in a productive way. Take out that priority list and make changes accordingly.

Back to Work

 1. Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you are not going to catch up the first day, but that over time you will eventually catch up.

2. Pace yourself- accomplish the tasks on the priority list and then move on to other tasks

3. Communicate with co-workers. Let them know you have just gotten back and that you will need a little time to get back up to speed.