José Manuel Felices on how to overcome post-vacation blues: "This will help your body avoid peak stress."

Returning to work after a few weeks of vacation is often a dreaded moment for many. The so-called post-vacation blues affect thousands of workers each year. Just a few days after returning, they feel tired and stressed even more than before they left. Doctor José Manuel Felices wanted to highlight this problem and, through a viral video, shared some simple strategies to maintain well-being and prevent stress from spiraling out of control.

According to the expert, the human body can maintain some of the hormonal benefits produced during the summer break if the person is able to maintain certain habits acquired during that time. "We're going to tell your body that relaxation is still with us and we're going to maintain some of those habits you've developed during vacation," he points out. The key, as he emphasizes in the video, is to somehow trick the brain into continuing to reproduce that feeling of calm, even in the midst of a work routine.

Felices points out that when we manage to reproduce these sensations, the body responds similarly to how it did during vacation. "This will cause your body to experience the same hormonal changes as on vacation and avoid those peaks of stress at work," she explains. This reduces the impact of returning and facilitates a smoother transition back to everyday life.

Among his recommendations, he highlights the need to incorporate conscious breaks throughout the day. It's not about stopping for the sake of stopping, but rather filling those minutes with something that directly connects with the vacation experience. The psychologist suggests something as simple as sharing summer photos with colleagues. "Plan two or three five- or ten-minute breaks in which you show your vacation photos to your colleagues," he suggests. This way, the brain reactivates the areas related to enjoyment, generating an immediate feeling of well-being.

The advice may seem anecdotal, but Felices backs it up with a clear argument: productivity also improves. "If your boss complains, tell them it's proven to improve productivity and that you're helping your colleagues experience the same thing," he says. According to the specialist, these small routines not only reduce individual stress but can also improve the work environment, which translates into better collective performance.

Another critical point he points out is the relationship with email. For Felices, one of the biggest mistakes workers make upon returning from vacation is constantly checking their email. This practice, he asserts, creates a chain of micro-stresses that drains attention and reduces productivity. "By doing this, you generate a small spike in stress and, in addition, you destroy your productivity because it takes away your focus and makes it difficult to make progress on what you're doing," he warns.

The specialist insists that email should not be considered an urgent communication channel, as there are other more immediate means, such as the telephone. Therefore, he recommends establishing a controlled review plan. Ideally, in his opinion, it's best to limit yourself to three or four checks a day, always at strategic times that don't interrupt main tasks or breaks.

Felices reminds us that it all comes down to a matter of organization. “Without a plan, stress skyrockets in a matter of days,” she warns. That's why she talks about what she calls a daily micro-escape strategy, small breaks that, when combined, help extend the positive effects of vacation well beyond the summer.