When all is said and done, the pictures have been posted, and the compliments on your tan have stopped, you may find yourself hitting a low. This isn’t anything new. You’re simply going through a holiday hangover. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, a holiday hangover is the slight depression that happens when you’re coming down from that holiday high. For the past week or month you’ve been carefree living the life of a king. No traffic, no work, no complaints or burdens. It’s as if you hit pause on your remote control of life.

But as soon as it began, your holiday is over. You’re back at work hitting the grind once again and this time you’ve got that post-holiday depression, a holiday hangover.

Fret not, dear one! These things have a way of working themselves out and if you follow our 7 rules below, you’ll be back to your chipper self in no time.

1. Unpack As Quickly As Possible — Leaving your unpacked suitcase lying on the floor is a constant reminder (not to mention an eyesore) of your vacation. The faster you put it away, the faster you can get back into the swing of things.
2. Plan Your Next Getaway — It always helps to have something to look forward to, even if it’s months in advance. If you find yourself wishing you were on holiday already, book a getaway even if it’s just for a weekend. Having something to look forward to makes the days go by faster and life more interesting.
3. Exercise — Exercise releases a ton of happy chemicals into your body that’ll keep your mood high and leave you with a sense of accomplishment. As soon as you can, go for a run, a swim, or book yourself into that yoga class.
4. Hang Out With Loved Ones — Keep yourself involved with your friends and family. These people are your support network. They’re the ones that’ll make you laugh and remind you how wonderful life is even when you’re not on holiday.
5. Eat Healthy — Drink lots of water, eat healthy and nutritious raw foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, and stay away from alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and processed foods. What you put into your body makes a difference and affects your mood. Look for foods high in Vitamin B6 and Vitamin D and spend some time in the sun to boost your seratonin levels.
6. Be Grateful — If you find yourself making negative comparisons between your day-to-day life and your vacation, STOP IT! Instead, focus on the things you’re grateful for in your life. Your friends, family, pets, the weather, your health, right down to the smallest details. Make a list on paper and read over it. Your mood will change almost instantly.
7. Make A Big Life Change — If you’re that upset coming back to reality, it might be time to consider a career change, moving to a new country, or doing something drastic. It’s okay to feel a little down after your vacation for a few days but if you absolutely dread going back to work, then it might be time to re-evaluate your current situation and why you aren’t happy.