12/01/2025
Why Getting Back to Work Feels Harder After the Holidays and What Actually Helps
Getting back to work after the holidays often feels harder than we expect. Many people assume that once the break is over, motivation and focus should return automatically. When that does not happen, it can lead to frustration, guilt, or the feeling that something is wrong. In reality, this reaction is very common and has less to do with willpower and more to do with how the nervous system responds to transition.
The holiday period disrupts structure in ways that are both subtle and significant. Sleep schedules shift, routines loosen, social interaction increases, and downtime may not actually feel restful. Even when holidays are enjoyable, they require emotional energy. For many people, they also bring complicated family dynamics, grief, or pressure to show up in certain ways. When work resumes, the brain and body are suddenly asked to re engage with schedules, expectations, and productivity before fully re-settling.
Another reason the return feels so heavy is emotional residue. Feelings that were pushed aside during busy or socially demanding days often surface once things quiet down. Anxiety, irritability, or sadness can appear at the start of the workweek, not because work itself is the problem, but because the system finally has space to notice what it has been holding. This can be especially true for parents, caregivers, and those already managing chronic stress.
There is also pressure baked into the return. Full inboxes, unfinished tasks, and the unspoken belief that time off must be compensated for can make the transition feel abrupt and unforgiving. Many people respond by trying to push harder, work longer, or expect immediate productivity. While understandable, this approach often increases burnout rather than easing the adjustment.
What actually helps is allowing the transition itself to take time. Lowering expectations for the first few days back can make a meaningful difference. Re establishing basic routines such as sleep, regular meals, hydration, and movement supports emotional regulation far more than forcing productivity. Focusing on a few manageable priorities each day helps rebuild momentum without overwhelming the nervous system.
Small, intentional pauses during the workday also matter. Taking a moment to breathe, stretch, or step outside can calm the body and improve focus. These breaks are not a failure of discipline. They are tools for sustainability. Equally important is paying attention to self talk. Telling yourself you should already feel normal often increases stress. A more supportive mindset recognizes that transitions are demanding and deserve patience.
For some, the discomfort that shows up after the holidays feels deeper than work stress alone. Heightened anxiety, mood changes, difficulty focusing, or ongoing irritability may be signs that additional support could be helpful. The post holiday period is often when patterns of burnout, anxiety, or depression become more noticeable, not because they are new, but because they are harder to ignore.
At Brightside Behavioral Health, we support individuals, couples, children, and families navigating transitions like these. Our clinicians offer both in person and telehealth services across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with office locations in Johnston, Cranston, Warwick, and Riverside. We also provide telehealth services to increase access and flexibility for those balancing busy schedules. Therapy during times of transition can help create space to process stress, strengthen coping skills, and rebuild routines in ways that feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
