“There’s the likely dopamine crash that occurs when all the fun summer activities end, and we enter a lull of adjusting to going back to school or work,” says Gilly Kahn, a clinical psychologist. This quote appears in 7 Ways to Beat the End-of-Summer Blues, written by Perri Ormont Blumberg on her blog.
After all the exciting summer activities come to an end, we’re faced with an inevitable reality — returning to the daily grind of work or school. It’s that familiar cycle where, once again, we find ourselves back at square one, trying to adjust and regain momentum. The transition can feel exhausting, as we shift from moments of relaxation and freedom to the demands of schedules, responsibilities, and longer hours. The carefree days become limited, and fun takes a backseat as we focus on productivity and making a living all over again.
“Set yourself up for a successful return before you leave,” says Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This piece of advice is featured in Vacation’s Over. Now What? How to Handle the Back-to-Work Blues, by Jennifer Breheny Wallace on her blog.
Not everyone can stay mentally strong when faced with heavy workloads—and that’s okay. In times like these, it’s important to show ourselves a little more kindness. The same energy we use to meet deadlines should also be used to check in with ourselves. We have to remember that taking breaks is a way to take care of our well-being.
Shifts in seasons in life are never easy—whether they’re big or small. As we grow older, rest becomes a privilege. Finding time to relax with all of the obligations we have to balance must be really tough. That’s why, when we do get the chance, it feels surreal. Taking a moment to tune into ourselves instead of jumping into emails gently reminds us that our own needs matter too.
Rest means different things to different people. For some, it’s staying home and relaxing. Meanwhile, for others, they consider taking up a hobby or, occasionally, a total escape—traveling or going on vacation to recharge their batteries. But no matter what rest looks like for each and every one of us, one thing stays the same: eventually, we all go back to work. The best we can do is prepare ourselves for that shift and make the most of our downtime while we have it. Moreover, what’s important is that it helps you to function better afterwards. And remember—no one knows what you need better than you do.
ADU INTERN Fionna Alyzzah M. Serrano