Half of Brits stressed again less than a day after a holiday

Despite around 45 million of us taking summer holidays each year, half of UK workers feel stressed again almost as soon as they return to work, research from Monster.co.uk has revealed. A recent survey found that a staggering 50% of UK employees lose all feelings of relaxation and wellbeing on their first day back in the office, claiming that they feel as if they had never been away. A third of us feel stressed within a few weeks of being back at work, with only 15% claiming that their job doesnít inflict stress on them in the first place.

Monster Meter recently asked 1848 workers throughout the UK, ìHow long after you have been back from holiday do you feel stressed again?î The main findings are as follows:

- 50% The minute I get back it feels like I have never been away
- 29% Quite quickly, within the first few weeks
- 15% I donít get stressed at work, it is only a job
- 6% Takes a while, after about 3 months

Jenny Ungless, Career Coach at Monster.co.uk, comments, ìItís sad that so many of us donít feel relaxed and rejuvenated after holidays – after all, we go away to have a break and come back refreshed. Being stressed again almost as soon as weíre back isnít necessarily a bad reflection on our jobs – we do have to put in work to ensure that we get the best out of our time off, both mentally and physically.î

Jenny recommends the following tips to help UK workers get the best out of their holidays:

- Get organised – do your holiday packing and preparations as early as possible. Rushing frantically to make the flight wonít start your holiday on a relaxed note

- Donít make your last day in the office stressful. Hand over your work projects a day early and ensure your colleagues are fully briefed on all work they need to take over – this minimises the need for them to disturb you on your holiday

- Book a holiday that will help you to relax – donít book an all inclusive spa break if extreme sports are your thing, and donít go hiking in Scotland if you crave a lazy beach in the sun

- Give yourself time to relax when you get home from your travels. Take an extra day off work to unpack and ease yourself back into your routine

- If the thought of nasty surprises awaiting you at the office is stopping you from enjoying your holiday, make that call to the office to put your mind at rest

- In the weeks after returning from holiday, take time regularly to indulge your wellbeing; see a show, book a massage or do anything else that makes you happy