Unkonzentriert und langsam?: Was hilft mir, nach dem Urlaub wieder im Job anzukommen?

After the summer vacation, you might have intended to return to work refreshed and motivated, but instead find yourself easily distracted and needing endless time to tackle seemingly simple tasks. This is quite normal, says Catharina Stahn, a scientific assistant at the Institute for Applied Labor Research. Concentration and performance won't immediately return to their full capacity after a relaxation period, she explains. However, there are small tricks that can make the return to work easier.

First, take time to sort and prioritize. When you start, create an overview of what has happened during your absence, which tasks are truly time-sensitive, what can wait, or if it's already outdated. This can form the basis for setting a couple of main priorities for the day, preventing new incoming emails and requests from automatically determining the order of work.

Second, focus on your tasks. In the first few days after vacation, try to schedule only a few meetings. Focused times, where you silence notifications and concentrate on one task, can help you catch up on pending items or quickly sort through your email. Breaking down larger projects into manageable chunks can prevent feelings of being overwhelmed and provide quick success that boosts motivation.

Lastly, allocate your energy. Even if your to-do list is full and you feel you're not making progress, schedule breaks. This might mean a quick walk outside, some movement, or a few minutes away from screens and new notifications. Generally, this brings new energy and thus a performance boost. If you don't manage everything on the first workday, don't work longer: regular sleep and a mental distance from work can also help regain the rhythm.

An extra tip from the Ifaa for future vacations: it's best not to schedule the first workday on a Monday. If you start, for example, in the middle of the week, you'll shorten the first workweek and can soon look forward to an enjoyable weekend.