Even 31% of respondents find returning to work after vacation stressful

With three tips from Mars and Orbit, getting back into the routine will be easier

After the long-awaited summer vacation, sunny beaches, and sand, returning to work, university, or school can feel like a cold shower. The Orbit chewing gum brand and Mars company reveal that this fear of returning to routine creates micro-stresses for employees, students, and pupils, making the end of summer and vacations far from relaxing.

Micro-stresses are small stressful moments that occur every day and drain time, energy, and enthusiasm. Traffic jams, endless to-do lists, or being late for meetings or classes are just some of the micro-stresses lurking around the corner when we return from vacation. Although they may seem small and insignificant at the moment, micro-stresses can harm us if they accumulate and are not managed over a long period.

A recent survey by Mars shows that 31% of respondents admit that returning to work, school, or university after vacation causes mild anxiety, while 38% feel stressed about deadlines and obligations at work or university. These reactions are mostly driven by the stress of traffic jams, which affected 37% of respondents. Specifically, for those working in offices, 75% reported that micro-stresses are most common when thinking about the daily commute, while a significant 48% feel uneasy about the workload they have to catch up on. It is not surprising that, for students, the main concern is the postponed obligations that fell down the priority list during vacation, with 44% of respondents expressing this worry.

To help combat micro-stresses and support people returning to work or school after vacation, Orbit shared its top three tips for creating “me-time” to make the transition back to work smooth and stress-free:

Cross Everything Off Your To-Do List

To make your weekday evenings as stress-free as possible, it’s essential to prepare in advance. Upon returning from vacation, set aside an afternoon for household chores, laundry, grocery shopping, and unpacking. This preparation will help make your return to routine pleasant and easy, and your weekday evenings peaceful.

Pause Your Obligations for a Moment

If, during the afternoon, you feel that your to-do list is becoming endless and micro-stress is increasing, treat yourself to a quick refreshment, snack, or even a chewing gum. A recent study conducted by Mars and Orbit found that 28% of respondents turn to chewing gum when they need to feel more relaxed. Taking a moment for yourself is a good option when you are stressed, a sentiment agreed upon by 47% of survey respondents.

Take a Moment for “Me-Time”

If your first day back from vacation feels chaotic, be sure to use your lunch break to find a moment of “me-time” and re-centre yourself amidst all the hustle.

“Vacations are very important for unwinding from the usual routine. Many people use the opportunity to relax when work takes over or after a tough semester at university or school. If you feel anxious about returning from vacation, follow our tips for reducing stress and creating more ‘me-time’ moments during the day. We hope these will help make your return to work or school as stress-free as possible,” said Katarina Lero, Regional Portfolio Manager for the chewing gum category at Mars.