You're under a palm tree getting some sun and reading your favorite book, and then suddenly you're in the office in a zoom meeting wondering, “HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?”
Well, my friend, although life sometimes throws us a break, our routine always gets us in the end. But don't let this get you down. As with everything, the key is in your perspective; that is, in how you approach things.
The return to “normality” is also an opportunity to reformulate your routines, schedules, and ways of taking care of yourself. Here are some tips.
BODY, SOUL... AND SKIN
SKIN CARE: A new routine for your skin
During vacation, the sun and heat can be very punishing to your skin, even if you don't notice it. That's why it's important to dedicate time to your skin as you get back to your routine and prepare it for the colder months ahead.
You can start a new skin care routine based fully on moisturizing your skin so that it looks radiant. In this routine, we recommend including a water-based moisturizer and a mask once a week. Your skin will thank you.
DETOX: Make yourself a good juice
Popular detox juices are made from highly diuretic fruits and vegetables. What does that mean? They help to purify the body, reduce inflammation and provide you with lots of vitamins. According to Dr. Iolanda Jordán: “When you get back from vacation you must face the autumn, so it's necessary to ingest vitamin A and C, as they boost the immune system.”
These vitamins can be obtained through detox juices, such as orange, carrot and ginger juice. “It is important to eat carrots, which are very rich in vitamin A, and oranges and other citrus fruits, which provide vitamin C,” says Dr. Jordán.
SHAKE IT: Move your body
Doing sports or starting a new hobby makes you produce hormones such as serotonin that help you to be happier and, without a doubt, are just what you need when coming back from vacation.
You can start with a simple routine two days a week based on stretching and basic exercises (such as push-ups, squats, or burpees). Or, if you prefer, start a new sport that fits your needs (perhaps pilates or yoga). If going to the gym is not for you, walking, for example, is an activity that moves almost the entire body, is free and also helps to clear the mind.
TIME IS GOLD
One of the most overwhelming things about getting back to work and your routine is the feeling of having too many things to do. That's why it's essential to learn how to organize your time well; and to help you, we've selected some of our favorite techniques and strategies that really work. Please read carefully:
Plan your week on Sunday
Set aside fifteen minutes of your Sunday to organize your calendar for the week. This will allow you to have an overview of your schedule and tasks, and will give your mind some order for a calm start to the week. You can also choose to use a planner (like the good old days), or you can make lists and cross off tasks.
Set yourself achievable goals
Being ambitious is all well and good, but you must also be realistic. My advice is to write down a maximum of 3 long-term goals and then establish an action plan or the steps to get there within a certain time frame. Here's an example:
OBJECTIVE: Save €1500 - TIME: 6 months - ACTION PLAN Save €250/month (the action plan could be broken down into small strategies such as: weekly budget / actions during the next 6 months: cancel my subscription to XXX, use my bike more, etc.)
80/20 rule
Also known as the Pareto principle, this technique explains that 20% of the effort you put into a task generates 80% of the final results. It may sound confusing, but it really means that you have to focus most of your time and energy on the tasks that give the best results.
List your daily activities and determine which ones have the greatest impact. Which task is most urgent? Is there one that blocks the work of your colleagues? Focus on these and leave the rest for later.
Coming back from vacation can sometimes be a bit of a complicated trip (redundancy aside). But with the right mindset and following some of our tips, it can actually be an exciting trip.
