(Photo source: www.homeboundblues.com)

Sorry to burst your holiday bubbles but it’s back to reality guys. Vacations are not meant to be forever, so everyone, or at least most of us, experienced the unwanted post-travel blues at some point of our lives.

Also less commonly known as the post-travel depression (PTD), it’s a type of mood that one feels after returning home from a good break. Some of the obvious symptoms would be tiredness, loss of appetite or increase in appetite, feeling down, strong feelings of nostalgia, inability to focus on your regular routine or task and the most severe of all, full-on depression. If you suspect you are getting overly depressed, please consult a doctor. Other than that, it should be conquerable with a few of these tips.

(Photo source: venturegalleries.com)

Prepare your expectations before your trip

Allow yourself to prep for post-travel blues by knowing that it’s normal to feel deflated or “bleh” or even “meh” after a wonderful trip and give yourself some time to bounce back from it instead of rushing to get over the experience.

For example, avoid setting a full day of meetings on your first day back to work. Give yourself about two to three days of transition period and do simpler tasks such as clearing your pile of emails and papers on your desk before taking on additional responsibilities that may suddenly appear when you sit in for a meeting.

Plan local staycation, mini-trips or activities

If needed and you have some cash to spare, planning a simple staycation, nearby roadtrips or even adventurous activities to keep the fun alive. Take some time to do a bit of research and I’m sure you will be able to find many things you can do around your area that are pocket-friendly. Remember, everything should be within driving distance and should not cost you a bomb.

“My Next Vacation” jar

Take out that piggy bank and start saving up for your next trip. Doesn’t matter how much you save, at least you have started on something and build the amount as time passes. This can help you to get excited and divert your focus on your next dream destination.

Rest and exercise

It may be an oxymoron but it’s a fact that you will need to rest because travelling can be exhausting, especially if you are having jetlag. So take time to rest but at the same time, find time to exercise because it’s an instant mood-lifter. Keep your endorphins flowing, these happy juice will just make you a happier person overall.

Editor JQ Lee talks and writes for a living. That's because she loves sharing interesting things to the world. With a Degree in Communication and Media Management, this petite Gen-Y will not stop chasing her passion in writing and broadcasting. She dreams to host a travel show and be a radio announcer someday, hopefully soon. Stalk this wacky fair Asian girl at www.jqtalks.com, Instagram and Twitter (@jqleejq)