Expert Tips for a Smooth Return to Work After the Israeli Holiday Season

The holiday season, which coincided with the summer break, is coming to an end, and many are returning from domestic and international vacations to regular work schedules. Clalit Health Services warns that the initial days of re-entering the workforce can be somewhat challenging for many.

To ease the transition during the first days back at work, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and prevent burnout throughout the year, Dr. Sigal Mazor, head of the Health Education and Promotion Department at Clalit, details a series of recommendations for returning to a routine.

Gradual Return and Physical Activity

"The holiday season is behind us, and after weeks of vacations, meals, disruptions to routines, and schedule changes, we are returning to work and routine," she explains. "Returning to routine can actually be a good opportunity to pause, organize, and return to habits that make us feel good. There is no need to do everything in one day, and you don't have to jump straight back to full speed. You can start gradually and rebuild a blessed routine that we can maintain over time."

Dr. Mazor explains that if we failed to maintain an exercise routine during the holidays, now is the time to return to it as quickly as possible.

There is no need to 'compensate' for what we didn't do or start an especially ambitious program. We return to activities we know and love, schedule them in our calendars, and try to make them a permanent part of the week again.

Prioritizing Tasks and Reducing Overwhelm

She also emphasizes the need to organize work tasks: "After a period of vacations, it is easy to feel that everything is urgent and waiting for us. Instead of trying to accomplish everything at once, review the tasks, arrange them by urgency and importance, and then tackle them one by one. Clear priorities can reduce the feeling of overwhelm and help us return to our pace more efficiently and pleasantly."

She also recommends preserving the positive aspects of the holidays. "Returning to routine does not mean giving up the good things we experienced during the holidays. Try to maintain family and social gatherings during the routine, especially screen-free shared time: a family meal, a walk, a game, or simply time for conversation," she advises.

Creating Anchors and Wellbeing

• Establish fixed anchors in a busy week such as regular workouts or family meals.

• Take short breaks during the workday to stretch or step outside.

• Dedicate time to hobbies and activities that bring personal joy without needing to be strictly 'efficient'.

"When these things are in the calendar and not left for 'if there is time,' it is easier to maintain balance even during busy periods," she concludes.