Preparing for a vacation and time away from work can be very hectic. With some pre-planning, you can make it easier and less stressful. For those on shift work, confirm the return schedule before you go. Consider writing yourself a note for any tasks you have been working on or next steps in projects. In the office, notifications, voicemail advisories, memos etc., informing others of how long you will be away and who to go to in your absence help to avoid communication tangles upon your return. Try to clear your inbox so that new items that arrive during your absence are obvious. Clear your schedule as much as possible for your first day back. You will need that time for catch up.

Many people need time at home before resuming their work routine. Use this time to catch-up on laundry, groceries, bills, the garden, and reconnecting with family so that these tasks are not competing for attention once you are back on the job. 

Sleep is essential to easing back into work. Set your sleep and wake times to accommodate your work schedule. Give yourself time to readjust a few days prior to returning to work to get ready for that first early morning or beginning of a shift.

In the office, arrive an hour early on your first day so that you can quietly read emails, check voicemail, memos and so on. Note any changes that have taken place in the work place while you have been away. Set priorities for the day with a view to not try to tackle everything at once. If you are working shifts, be sure to take your full lunch break and to leave at a reasonable time at the end of the day or shift. Keep this up for the first five days and you will likely feel caught up by the week's end and adjusted to the routine.

Take time to swap vacation stories with your peers, customers and clients. You will be contributing to a healthier workplace and building vital supportive networks.

Time away often leaves us with a renewed energy and a desire for change. Schedule a meeting with your manager for a couple of weeks in the future to discuss your thoughts, or register for training in an area that interests you. This will help to restore a sense of purpose and direction in your work.

Many of us stray from our usual routines while on vacation. We may eat more, or eat different foods than we are used to. We may exercise less or have higher activity levels than usual. To adjust back to long work hours, with perhaps many hours of sitting or standing, be sure to plan healthy lunches and consider walking for brief periods at mid-day or during breaks.

Anticipate what your child's sleep routine will be when he or she starts school in September and begin with the transition at least two weeks in advance. Begin to set aside quiet breaks for reading which will make homework less of a chore when it comes. Encourage children to begin with simple household routines now, like making his or her bed, and putting laundry in the basket, so that the first weeks of school will be less hectic. Plan for back-to-school shopping early to avoid the rush.

Collect ideas for future vacations. Imagining your next get-away helps with the sad feeling that your vacation (for now) is over. Arrange for an automatic withdrawal from your regular account each month so returning from vacation doesn't have to mean facing a mountain of bills.

Sort photos and share them. Take a souvenir to work, even if it is as simple as a seashell or a lovely smooth stone. Objects help to connect you with pleasant memories and to keep the vacation alive even on a dull day.

If your vacation was in some way disappointing, move on. Plan a week-end get-away for some time in the not too distant future.

Sadness that persists at the end of a vacation deserves a closer look. Vacations can bring about changes in our perspective in terms of what is most important in our lives. Take time to note what you valued most about your time off. Can you integrate some of those things into your regular routine?  Do you need to make bigger changes with respect to relationships, or work/life balance? Perhaps the time-away has created an opening for other significant issues to surface. A counsellor might be of help in sorting through some of these questions. Take your time. Remind yourself of what you value most about your regular life and what you would miss if it was suddenly gone. A life lived to its fullest everyday makes vacation time all the more sweet when it eventually arrives.