You had a great summer break , maybe travel, family time, or simply rest. But then Monday comes, your inbox is overflowing, and suddenly the glow of vacation fades. Sound familiar?
Coming back to work after summer vacation isn’t always as simple as opening your inbox.
It’s actually a process. It’s a chance to adjust to your routines, reconnect with your team, and get back in sync with your workplace.
Why the Post-Vacation Slump Happens
We all can face real challenges when returning to work after a vacation (post-vacation slump). This transition (also called re-entry shock) can bring a mix of emotions: some positive, some negative and can affect how smoothly you settle back into your role.
Research highlights four main types of difficulties people often experience after time off:
Work: Overwhelmed by tasks or changes in workload.
Social: Reconnecting with colleagues and team dynamics.
General: Managing stress or fatigue.
Disconnection: Feeling distant from work or the organization.
These emotions are normal, but most workplaces lack strategies to support this transition. Recognizing these challenges and feelings is an important first step in creating supportive practices that improve motivation, wellbeing, and productivity.
Moreover, how employees feel during this return period can even influence their longer-term attitude toward work and well-being.
By adopting thoughtful post-vacation reintegration strategies, you, your teams, your leaders and the workplace can help build more sustainable workplaces. It’s a win-win-win!
The Tune-Up Day Strategy
Let’s talk about a post-vacation reintegration strategy called Tune-Up Day!
When you’ve been away, work feels a little different. Your usual rhythm is paused, your team may have moved ahead, and the workplace culture feels unfamiliar again, even if it’s the same place.
Tune-Up Day or a “buffer day” (a research-backed practice) is the time you take to gently re-adjust and get back into your groove without feeling overwhelmed on your first day (ideally) back to work. It’s a chance to ease yourself back into your tasks, reconnect with colleagues, and catch up on what’s changed.
Why Recovery Matters (DRAMMA)
Vacations help us rest and recharge, but that rest needs to be real for it to stick. If work emails, stress, or worries creep in during your time off, or if you jump back in too fast, your energy doesn’t fully come back.
Our DRAMMA model breaks down what good recovery looks like:
- Detaching from work and truly switching off
- Finding time to relax and reduce stress
- Having control over your time (autonomy)
- Doing things that help you master, learn or feel accomplished
- Finding meaning in your rest and work
- Feeling connected to others (affiliation)
If any of these are missing, it’s harder to return to work feeling refreshed.
That’s why Tune-Up Day is so important. It helps fill in those gaps and rebuild your energy step by step.
TIP: Understand the difference between rest and recovery.
How to Put Tune-Up Day Into Practice (I,G,L)
Recognizing your burnout profile (disengaged, overextended, ineffective) is the first step in applying targeted strategies to restore engagement and well-being.
👉For You (Individuals)
- Take it slow: If possible, start with easier (less complex) tasks during your first few days back (up to 3 days) so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Check emails smartly: Don’t try to read or answer everything at once. Use the 4Ds: Do, Delete, Delegate, Delay, to manage your inbox efficiently.
TIP: Well-crafted subject lines make a huge difference when you are sorting through your inbox post-vacation
👉For Teams (Groups)
Everything from Individuals plus:
- Catch up on changes and reconnect: Have a quick team check-in to share updates, align plans, and briefly reconnect with colleagues to feel supported.
👉For Leaders (and Managers)
Everything from Individuals and Teams plus:
- Lead by example: Show your team it’s okay to ease in and set boundaries around workload and communication.
- Check in personally: Ask team members how they’re doing and what support they might need.
- Reinforce culture: Use Tune-Up Day to remind everyone of shared goals, values, and team identity.
Leaders and the Challenge of Unreadxiety
Many leaders struggle to fully disconnect from emails while on vacation.
This ‘Unreadxiety, the fear of returning to an overflowing inbox, is common.
If a full Tune-Up Day isn’t possible, even a few hours to catch your breath and reorient can protect your energy
If it is not possible to have a full Tune-Up Day due to busy schedules, deadlines, or unexpected tasks can get in the way. Don’t beat yourself up. The important thing is knowing that you can schedule a Tune-Up Day (or a few days) for yourself when the time feels right. (ideally before vacation fade-out effect kicks in)
Whether it’s a day, a half-day, or even a few hours set aside to catch your breath and reorient, putting this time on your calendar is a powerful way to protect your energy.
Final Thoughts
Tune-Up Day helps you avoid the “shock” of jumping back into work full force after time off. It gives you space to recover, reconnect, and get ready to do your best, without burning out.
By making this a practice for yourself, your team, and your leaders, everyone can return to work feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to tackle what’s next.
What’s one small Tune-Up Day habit you’ll try this fall?
Know someone heading back to work after a summer break? Share this post with them, they’ll thank you!
Written By: Sumana Jeddy
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