It takes the average Brit eight days and 22 hours to get back into a routine after a holiday, as a study revealed being forced to set the alarm clock, dealing with a mountain of washing and tackling the morning commute make it hard to get back up to speed.
Three quarters of those polled admitted to suffering from post-holiday blues, with six in ten regularly starting sentences with “this time last week we’d have been…”
Additionally seven out of ten of us said it took them over two weeks to conquer the workload they found waiting for them when they returned to the office.
More than one in two said they missed the food and drink they enjoyed while they were away.
The research was commissioned by Tribute, Cornwall’s best-loved ale, to mark the launch of its new online shop.
A spokesman for Tribute Pale Ale said: “It can be hard having to return to normality after the holidays and it clearly plays on our mind for quite some time afterwards.
“But if someone is suffering a bit from post-holiday blues and still thinking back to it nine days afterwards then that’s at least a sign that they had a great time.
Missing holiday views emerged as a key contributor to post-summer blues, with Brits forced to swap sunny beaches, hilly scenery or sea views for a look at an enormous pile of ironing.
A hankering for the local food and drink of their holiday destination was one of the things four in ten people missed most.
More than a third enjoyed the alcoholic tipple they drank while away before seeking out more in their supermarkets and local pubs, while one in seven Brits misses having the freedom of being able to relax with a drink whenever they like.
More than half the study tries to cling to that holiday feeling a little bit longer after returning from holiday – mostly by scrolling through masses of holiday photos and many eat or drink something they’ve had while away to keep the memories alive.
The survey also found that the blues are at their strongest for 8 days and 22 hours and it takes 16 days until Brits are completely “over” their holiday – often longer than the duration of the holiday itself.
It’s also hard to return to form in the workplace after a break and the average person feels they aren’t back to their best in terms of work performance until the third working day after a holiday.
Many take steps to combat the “back to reality” feeling; six in ten Brits have already put thought into their summer holiday for next year.
(Featured image: *roving*sheep)
