If you’ve been back from your holiday for a while but still can’t get back into the rhythm of things, you have ‘post-holiday slum', according to new research.
Need a boost to get you back into the swing of things?British Summer Fruits carried out the survey and found that ‘the post-holiday blues’ last for an average of five days for Brits, with a lack of concentration at work revealed as the worst side effect.
A further one in 10 admitted that it can take them a staggering ten days to get back into work mode.
Lack of concentration was found to have a knock-on effect on Brits’ productivity at work. Nearly a fifth of those questioned admit to making mistakes on important work, with a similar number missing deadlines.
Many are catching up on loss time with friends, as one in six revealed that they spend more time on social media in work time after a break.
Beach body fears are left at the airport with a third of workers opting for junk food when feeling low. Brits aren’t afraid to make up for lost time with two in five reaching for chocolate, a fifth eating biscuits and many drowning their sorrows in a glass of wine. These eating habits last for nine days, almost double as long as the post-holiday blues.
Surprisingly, nearly three quarters of those questioned know that food can affect mood but only a quarter try to eat healthily to combat the blues. However, recent research has shown that nutrients found within fruits like berries boost blood flow to the brain, a key factor which can increase productivity.
Despite suffering with the blues, Brits admit they are not as sympathetic about colleagues’ post-holiday plight. Rather than offer support, over a third would let a colleague suffer and two fifths would tell them to pull themselves together.
- The research found irritations of the daily grind include:
- The sound of the alarm clock- 56%
- The never-ending email inbox- 41%
- The jam-packed commute- 21%
- Putting socks back on- 18%
- Colleagues’ handovers when they are off on their holidays- 18%
Dora Walsh’s Top Tips to keep your brain active at work:
- Have at least 20 minutes of sun a day to boost your serotonin levels
- Take regular breaks to ensure productivity
- Practice deep breathing to oxygenate your brain and boost alertness
- Snack on healthy foods including berries and nuts
- Stay hydrated or your performance could decrease
Leading nutritionist Dora Walsh said: “Low mood and low concentration are key symptoms of the post-holiday blues but a snack of sweets will only exacerbate this by giving people a sugar high and an almighty crash soon after. New research conducted this year found that berries can support brain function by helping to prevent mental decline, so berries can be the booster you need when the day is dragging on.
“Berries are high in resveratrol polyphenols which keep our blood flowing to the brain – essential when trying to catch up on a week’s work and battle the dreaded email inbox. Good blood flow increases alertness which can improve cognition and brain function.”
Brits are likely to have a laissez-faire attitude to getting over the blues, with two in five (38 per cent) choosing to do nothing but ride them out and cope with the lack of concentration – despite noticing an average of 24 colleagues also suffering.
A spokesperson for British Summer Fruits said: “Many people reach for the junk food when feeling low, but research has actually shown that certain foods are better at improving the mood and giving us a spring in our step. A study conducted earlier this year found that strawberries are the fruit that makes us the happiest, which is a delicious way to banish the post-holiday blues.”