Gaby
The blissful days of summer vacation have faded into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Memories of that velvety season surface less often. Psychologists say the happiness and celebratory spirit you get on vacation can be recreated in your autumn and winter routines.
Recently, Finnish researchers published the results of a large-scale, long-term study. Over 40 years they tracked the lives of 1,200 businessmen at risk for cardiovascular disease. They found that participants who took vacations of three weeks or less each year had a one-third higher risk of premature death. According to the study’s leader, Timo Strandberg, the benefits of vacation were the same whether participants traveled to a resort or stayed home.
The conclusion is clear: instead of lamenting the end of vacation, think about how to bring that joyful spirit into dreary weekdays. Psychologists offer several simple strategies to help revive the festive mood of your time off.
Become a Tourist in Your Own City
When was the last time you explored the city you live in? Check a tourist website. It will remind you of attractions you’ve meant to visit for years but always found excuses to avoid. You might discover something completely new in familiar surroundings.
“A tour can help you see your environment from a fresh perspective,” says Gosia Gocłowska, a lecturer at the University of Bath. “You can find novelty even when you closely observe a single place.”
Reassess Your Daily Schedule
Vacations transport us to different environments, and that change of scenery alters our behavior, says Rachel McCloy, an associate professor of applied behavioral sciences at the University of Reading. “When you return from vacation, think about the mundane tasks you didn’t do while you were away,” she advises. That list usually includes laundry, commuting, cooking, and childcare.
Vacations are also often free of distractions like TV and endless phone chatter. McCloy suggests using that reclaimed time for activities that actually bring you joy.
Choose New Autumn Reads
You may have finished a stack of books on vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep reading in your daily life. Watch for new releases at fall book fairs, browse literary reviews, visit local bookstores, and share what you’re reading with friends. And finally, dust off those books on your nightstand that you’ve promised yourself you’d read.
Change Your Commute
Emra Düzgün, a professor of cognitive neurobiology at University College London, is convinced that walking through new places “stimulates brain plasticity.” Even small changes to your usual route can help. Try walking or biking to work, preferably through a park. Often all it takes is leaving home half an hour earlier.
Develop New Habits
The best way to change habits is to replace them with new ones, says Trevor Robbins, a professor of cognitive neurobiology at the University of Cambridge. For example, pull your sneakers out of the closet the night before. In the morning, instead of sliding into a robe, put on workout clothes and sneakers and head out for a bike ride.
Enjoy the Little Things
On vacation we slow down and open up our senses, which can dull once we return to routine. British positive psychologist Miriam Akhtar says it’s possible to “enjoy the routine at home so it doesn’t feel like a routine.” Find pleasure in a hot shower, a peaceful commute, or a long catch-up with an old friend.
How you find enjoyment doesn’t matter. The key is to revive the forgotten habit of savoring life from your vacation and carry it into everyday moments.
Plan Your Free Time Differently
The freedom from obligations is what makes vacation time feel different. In your daily schedule, carve out a bit of unplanned time and use it for something you hadn’t considered before. For example, pack your swimsuit in your work bag and head to the pool instead of spending lunch hour chatting with colleagues.
Embrace Day Trips
We usually plan big vacations well in advance. Rachel McCloy recommends scheduling a few short “adventure mode” trips soon after you return, while the festive feeling still lingers. These trips don’t have to be expensive or far from home; the important thing is to put them in your calendar before risk aversion and chores take over.
Recreate the Scent of Vacation
Bring back scents from your trip that remind you of carefree times: spices or handmade soap from a Moroccan market, artisanal olive oil and sun-dried tomatoes from an Italian shop. On long, cold evenings, light a scented candle.
Act on Your Insights
Vacation frees your mind from clutter and often sparks unexpected ideas. Keep a notebook handy—even on the beach—to jot down thoughts. Those notes could grow into something meaningful; a wild idea about changing your career might become the seed of a successful venture. Vacation frequently produces insights that influence the rest of your life.
Get Outside More Often
“Attention to nature during vacation is a source of very positive experiences,” says Gocłowska. While you might not recreate the awe of the Grand Canyon at home, you can still lift your spirits by spending more time outdoors. Step outside with a favorite drink on the balcony or in the garden. Try skipping the TV occasionally in favor of a walk around the block. Notice the trees, people, or neighborhood cats, and even greet strangers.
