Positive psychology: How to beat the post-holiday blues

IT’S hard to imagine being as happy at work as you are on holiday, but it’s actually something you have complete control over.

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WE ARE often at our happiest when on holiday. We ditch day-to-day routines, go with the flow, are more adventurous, have more interactions with strangers, and we are more compassionate to ourselves and to others. And then, as if by magic, the holiday ends and we revert back to our pre-holiday less happy selves.

But we don’t have to! Research in positive psychology shows that while a large portion of our happiness is due to our genes, only 10 per cent is due to life circumstances such as being on holiday. Most importantly, the remaining 40 per cent is determined by our daily thoughts and emotions and behaviours over which we have complete control.

Dr Bruce Wells says holidays are great, but there are ways to keep the happiness when you return to the real world.

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR POST-HOLIDAY HAPPINESS

This is fantastic news because it means we can create our own feelings of happiness whether or not we are on vacation. By recapturing the happiness-fostering attitudes and behaviours we display on vacation we can continue to enjoy the same holiday glow after our holiday ends.

Here are eight tips to help you do this.

1. Practise optimism

On holiday we are optimistic. We ditch the notion of something being fair or unfair, instead just accepting what is. We make the best of things. Consequently, we have a more balanced perspective on life, are less stressed, perform better, and have healthier interactions with others. When the holiday ends keep your optimistic colours shining bright by looking for a silver lining in every situation, immersing yourself in an environment of positivity, counting your blessings daily, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

2. Prefer experiences over stuff

Research shows that experiences, not things, make us happier. The memories of our best holiday experiences strengthen over time while the excitement of new possessions fades, experiences bring us closer to the people we care about, and experiences make us who we are — all good reasons for preferring experiences over the addictive buying of goods once your holiday ends.

3. Cherish your health

One of the main reasons why we feel better when on holiday is that we take the time to recharge our batteries by exercising, eating well, and sleeping more. Satisfying these basic needs is essential to our wellbeing and happiness. If we want to keep that holiday feeling alive we need to cherish our health week-in week-out.

4. Have adventures

When you think of holidays you think of new adventures. A time when you explore new places, try new activities and make new friends. You are happier because you have recaptured the curiosity of your youth. Continue to have new adventures after the holiday ends by scheduling in simple weekend explorations, enrolling in short courses, and trying new things at every opportunity.

5. Set boundaries for technology use

While smartphone technology and the internet have allowed work commitments to follow us home we manage to disconnect from them on holiday rewarding us with more quality family time and much needed personal downtime. Resolve to limit your use of technology — computers, phones, TV — when at home or with others.

6. Savour the moment

On holiday we are more present-focused. In general, we spend 47 per cent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing which distracts us from the present, the birthplace of happiness. Savour the moment by practising holiday mindfulness. For example, when eating a meal, just eat; when listening to a friend, just listen; when exercising, just exercise.

7. Be grateful

Gratitude is one of the kings of happiness. It reminds us about what we have, instead of what we don’t have. And we spread it around freely to both friends and strangers alike when we are on holiday. We thank people profusely for helping us and, in turn, we go out of our way to help others. We receive a Helper’s High and we develop compassion for others. We can continue this practice at work, at home, and in public.

8. Spend time with loved ones

Holidays are a wonderful time for reconnecting with family and close friends. And surveys reveal that people with five or more close friends are 60 per cent more likely to be very happy. Spend more time nurturing your relationships through regular face-to-face get-togethers over coffee, lunch, or a weekend dinner.

Dr Bruce Wells is a happiness and wellness consultant. He is the author of Happiness Anywhere Anytime. For more information visit Bruce at www.drbruce.com.au