Recharging After Your Vacation

Have you ever returned home from a vacation and thought to yourself, “Gee, I could use a vacation.”?

I know I have. It seems wrong. We have such a great time in a different setting and come back to a host of responsibilities. Mail to go through (mostly junk), bills to catch up on, a garden to weed (depending on the time of year), laundry, grocery shopping, children to get to school, appointments, meal planning, work to go to, and more.

No WONDER we’re tired and need another vacation!!

Not only that, because we’ve been on holiday, our bodies need to recalibrate from a host of other possibilities.

🧳 Post-Vacation Fatigue: Why It Happens 

• Jet lag or disrupted circadian rhythms
• Overeating and sugar overload (perhaps Mr. Non-Compliant ate a few too many donuts)
• Less hydration, more alcohol or caffeine
• Sleep in unfamiliar places (hotel sleep is rarely ideal)
• Emotional/social burnout from group travel (friends are sometimes SO MUCH FUN)
• The “letdown effect” (your body crashes after a stretch of fun or adrenaline)
• Facing all those back-home responsibilities

🔄 What You Can Do About It:

🥦 1. Fuel to Feel Better

• Focus on fresh produce, lean protein, and whole grains
• Cut back on sugar and alcohol for a few days
• Try a simple “reset” meal plan—think hydration, fiber, and light meals

💧 2. Hydrate Like You Mean It

• Drink plenty of water and add electrolytes if needed
• Herbal teas can help digestion and relaxation
• Avoid jumping straight back to heavy caffeine use

🛏 3. Prioritize Sleep (and not just early bedtime) 

• Re-establish a calming nighttime routine
• Get morning sunlight to reset your body clock
• Allow naps if you need them—but not too late in the day

🧘‍♀️ 4. Move Gently

• Don’t jump into intense workouts right away (one of my favorite tips)
• Go for walks, stretch, or do yoga to ease back into movement
• Movement helps with digestion, circulation, and sleep—all key to feeling better

🧠 5. Reset Your Mindset

• Don’t despair if you feel “off” for a few days—it’s normal—you’re normal
• Reframe the return: instead of “back to the grind,” try “back to routine = stability”
• Reflect on the good parts of the trip to keep the mood lift without the exhaustion
• Plan a lunch date with a friend or date-night with your significant other so that you have something to look forward to

You don’t need a complete detox or bootcamp to bounce back. Do what you can and know that you’ll be back in the swing of things soon—planning your next fabulous vacation.

Sending love,
Health Coach Carol

“No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.”– Elbert Hubbard